Sedimentary organic matter and paleoenvironmental reconstruction of the Santana Group (Lower Cretaceous), Araripe Basin, Northeast Brazil

Depositional controls of the Santana Group in the Araripe Basin are still being debated. The main controversial subject is their marine influence and paleoenvironmental evolution. In this study, palynofacies analysis was performed on 59 samples from one core drilled at Sítio Romualdo in the Araripe Basin to investigate sedimentary organic matter. Three palynofacies associations (structureless, continental particles, and aquatic + opaque) were identified. The Santana Group consist of Barbalha, Crato, Ipubi and Romualdo formations. Based on palynofacies associations we conclude that the depositional setting of the Barbalha Formation reflects a fluvially-fed lacustrine system under oxic conditions. The Crato Formation, associated with tidal flats, coastal lakes, and lagoons within an open bay environment, represents a bayhead delta system. The Ipubi Formation corresponds to a coastal plain typical of sabkha paleoenvironments, characterized by low energy under reducing conditions, during drier climate conditions. The Romualdo Formation records mainly an estuarine paleoenvironment characterized by dysoxic to anoxic conditions. The presence of palynomorph groups typifies a late Aptian age for the Santana Group, which is based on the range of guide species marked mainly by the presence of Sergipea variverrucata biozone (P-270), as well as the occurrence of Complicatisaccus cearensis and Equisetosporites maculosus. The identification of marine palynomorphs (dinoflagellate cysts Subtilisphaera and foraminiferal test linings) are indicative of several, local marine incursions.