CECILE OLIVE MBESSE

2025Journal article

First evidence of Campanian-Maastrichtian shallow marine deposits from eastern Atlantic margin (Doualasub-basin, Cameroon): Palynological and sedimentological approaches

Milan Stafford Tchouatcha, Cécile Olive Mbesse, Magdy S. Mahmoud, Amr S. Deaf, Jeannette Ngo Elogan Ntem, Miran M. Khalaf

Geosystems and Geoenvironment

Integration of facies analysis with organic microfossils (mainly dinoflagellate cysts) provides insights into the paleoenvironmental reconstruction of the onshore part of the Douala sub-basin of Cameroon. Nine lithofacies were identified, grouped in three main facies agglomerate/conglomerates, sands/sandstones and clay facies were identified. These facies reflect periodic proximal to distal sediment inputs, under changing water level, most likely controlled by climate and tectonics. The recovered dinoflagellate cysts were essentially composed of Cerodinium granulostriatum, Glaphyrocysta microfenestrata, Lejeunecysta sp. and Senegalinium laevigatum, along with Longapertites marginatus, Spinizonocolpites echinatus and Spinizonocolpites baculatus as significant terrestrial pollen. The dinoflagellate cysts were indicative of a shallow marine environment, affected by freshwater influx, under fluctuating dysoxic-anoxic, suboxic-anoxic and oxic states. These paleoenvironmental characteristics are consistent with the Upper Cretaceous sedimentary cycle of the Douala sub-basin, which terminated during the Maastrichtian, with a rapid and differential marine regression. The recovered organic-walled palynomorphs were a powerful biostratigraphic tool in the correlation of Campanian-Maastrichtian in the area and surroundings.

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2023PreprintOpen access

High-resolution sequence stratigraphy from well-log patterns and base-level variations of the Paleocene - Early Eocene N’kapa Formation, Douala onshore Basin (SW Cameroon)

Serge Parfait Koah Na Lebogo, Dieudonné Bisso, Mike-Franck Mienlam Essi, Cécile Olive Mbesse

Research Square

Abstract The present study aims to establish the stratigraphic architecture in order to understand the depositional history during the Paleocene- Early Eocene interval in the Douala Onshore Basin. The sequence stratigraphic analysis from gamma-ray logs and well cuttings was used to define stratigraphic surfaces and systems tracts based on the depositional sequence model. The results obtained show that the Paleocene-Early Eocene interval could be subdivided into three lithostratigraphic units (Unit 1, Unit 2, and Unit 3) of Middle Paleocene - Late Paleocene, Late Paleocene - Early Eocene, and Early Eocene age respectively. The sequence stratigraphic interpretation revealed three major stratigraphic surfaces : the sequence boundary (SB1) of the Middle Paleocene top, the transgressive surface (TS2) of the Late Paleocene, and the maximum flooding surface (MFS2) of the Early Eocene. The first highstand systems tracts (HST1) of the Middle Paleocene, the lowstand systems tract (LST2) of the Late Paleocene, the transgressive systems tract (TST2) of the Late Paleocene to Early Eocene, and the second highstand systems tracts (HST2) of the Early Eocene are the depositional sequences observed. The Paleocene-Eocene interval is therefore globally prograding, interrupted by a short transgressive episode of Late Paleocene to Early-Eocene age. Three cycles of base-level have been identified: the first cycle of base-level fall dated Middle Paleocene, the second cycle of rapid base-level rise which occurred between Late Paleocene to Early Eocene, and the third cycle of base-level fall dated Early Eocene. This observation confirms that the main factor which influenced the depositional history of Paleocene- Early Eocene succession in the Douala Onshore Basin was the eustatic sea-level changes due to the Cenozoic post-rift subsidence of the West African margin.

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2021Journal article

First 2D and 3D interpretative models of sedimentation in the Cretaceous Hama-koussou sedimentary basin: Litho-bio-stratigraphy and palaeoenvironment records

Moïse Bessong, Joseph Victor Hell, Cécile Olive Mbesse, Marie Paule Mfoumbeng, Junior Agbor-Taku, André Noel Dissombo Edimo and 6 more

Journal of African Earth Sciences

The Hama-Koussou Basin is one of the offset structures of the eastern end of the Benue Trough in Northern Cameroon. This sedimentary basin is an asymmetrical syncline whose axis is strongly shifted towards the East, filled predominantly with Cretaceous deposits, The basin has experienced at least three (3) phases of sedimentation during its geological history: two (2) fluvial phases with one at the top and the second at the bottom consisting of conglomerate, micro-conglomerate, and sandstone, sandwiching one fluvio-lacustrine phase consisting of fossiliferous claystones and marlstones with intercalations of siltstones and carbonate cemented fine sandstone. Numerous sedimentary structures including planar, oblique, and cross stratifications, convolute bedding, desiccation cracks, ripple marks and loadcast have been recorded. The mineral assemblage is dominated by quartz, plagioclase, mica and microcline, accompagnied by diagenetic phases (iron oxide, silica and carbonate). Clay minerals consist of kaolinite, illite and chlorite/smectite. Palynofloral analysis reveals various taxa indicative of a fluvio-lacustrine environment: These include Classopollis sp., Eucommiidites sp., Concavisporites sp., Cicatricosisporites sp, Araucariacites australis, Callialasporites dampieri, Callialasporites microvelatus. The occurrence of Callialasporites microvelatus confirms the Cretaceous age whereas age determination for all other samples was uncertain due to scarcity in palynomorphs. Low numbers of bisaccate, grass, and other angiosperm pollen grains may be indicative of a Cenozoic or younger age, although contamination by modern pollens cannot be excluded.The region experienced volcanism represented by explosive and effusive phases, recorded as sills and dykes. Plutonism is characterized by the establishment of intrusive granite. The East-West elongation observed in the HSB is the same in the Mayo-Oulo-Lere and Babouri Figuil basins and can be interpreted as the result of the same tectonic event linked to the opening of the Atlantic Ocean resulting in the formation of the Benue Trough and adjoins basins.

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2017Journal articleOpen access

Facies Analysis and Sequence Stratigraphy of Missole Outcrops: N’Kapa Formation of the South-Eastern Edge of Douala Sub-Basin (Cameroon)

Paul Gustave Fowé Kwetche, Marie Joseph Ntamak-Nida, Adrien Lamire Djomeni Nitcheu, Jacques Étamé, François Mvondo Owono, Cécile Olive Mbesse and 4 more

Earth Science Research

Missole facies description and sequence stratigraphy analysis allow a new proposal of depositional environments of the Douala sub-basin eastern part. The sediments of Missole outcrops (N’kapa Formation) correspond to fluvial/tidal channel to shallow shelf deposits with in some place embayment deposits within a warm and semi-arid climate. Integrated sedimentologic, palynologic and mineralogical data document a comprehensive sequence stratigraphy of this part of the Douala sub-basin. Five facies associations occur: (1) facies association I is characterized by Floodplain deposits; (2) facies association II is Fluvial to mouth bar deposits; (3) facies association III characterise Shallow Shelf deposits; (4) facies association IV represents Distal bay or Lacustrine déposits; and (5) Facies association V is made of Fluvial channel deposits. Six depositional sequences were identified. These sequences are composed of four progradational sequences and two retrogradational sequences containing a fluvial channel portion represented by lag deposits at the base of retrogradational sequences. These deposits represent the outset of the relative sea level rise period. In the study area, the N’kapa Formation is composed of non-marine/coastal aggradational deposits representing the early stage of the regressive period. The occurrence of the estuarine/bay deposits with paleosols development is interpreted as evidence of climate change with significant relative base level fluctuation. The study of key minerals associated to sequence stratigraphy as well as palynology demonstrated that sequence architecture has been controlled mostly by climate evolution and outcrops are dated Paleocene – early Eocene.

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2016Journal article

Geochemical and palaeoenvironmental characteristics of Missole I iron duricrusts of the Douala sub-basin (Western Cameroon)

Gilbert François Ngôn Ngôn, Jacques Étamé, Marie Joseph Ntamak-Nida, Cécile Olive Mbesse, Joël Simon Mbaï, Élie Constantin Bayiga and 1 more

Comptes Rendus Géoscience

Major and trace element composition of iron duricrusts including clayey material samples and biostratigraphy of the Missole I outcrop from the Paleocene–Eocene N’Kapa Formation in the Douala sub-basin of Cameroon were used to infer the palaeoenvironment and relative age of the iron duricrusts. Iron duricrusts and clayey materials are essentially kaolinitic and smectitic and are generally siliceous and ferruginous (iron duricrusts) or siliceous and aluminous (clayey materials). These materials have high Chemical Indices of Alteration (CIA = 86.6–99.33%). The negative Eu anomalies with high (La/Yb) N shown by iron duricrusts and clayey sediments are essentially derived from silicic or felsic parent rocks when fractionated chondrite-normalized REE patterns also indicate felsic or silicic parent rocks. The Missole I iron duricrusts have a post-Thanetian age according to the relative age of claystones (Thanetian) and were formed after the deposition of sedimentary materials in an anoxic low-depth marine environment with eutrophication of surface water, and may have been exhumed and oxidized under arid climate.

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2025Journal article

Paleoenvironmental and vegetation evolution during the PETM in the Gulf of Guinea: A study based on integrated palynological and chemostratigraphic analysis of the Miang section in the Douala Basin, Cameroon

André Mbabi Bitchong, Thierry Adatte, Serge Parfait Koah Na Lebogo, Cécile Olive Mbesse, Hamid Slimani, Jorge E. Spangenberg and 2 more

Geosystems and Geoenvironment

• The PEB recorded through swamp to back swamp coastal deposits in Miang. • Late Paleocene and early Eocene periods identified by palynomorphs and δ 13 C org shift. • Pre-PETM and PETM indicate weathered and dysoxic setting under warm, humid climate. • Angiosperm-rich Lowland Rainforest/Open Forest dominated Gulf of Guinea. The Paleocene–Eocene environment and vegetation evolution is widely documented worldwide. While a few similar studies have been undertaken in the Gulf of Guinea and the continental interior, they remain very limited, and provide no evidence of the Paleocene–Eocene thermal maximum (PETM). To address this gap, we conducted a comprehensive new sedimentological, palynological, mineralogical, and geochemical analysis of the Miang outcrop in the Douala Basin that encompasses silty-clayey deposits typical for swamp to back swamp coastal settings. The analysis of pollen and spore taxa, including Proxapertites operculatus, Proxapertites cursus, Echitriporites trianguliformis, Psilamonocolpites sp., Crototricolpites protoannemariae, Echitricolpites communis, Psilastephanocolporites sp., and Echimonocolpites rarispinosus and allowed the delineation of the pantropical Proxapertites operculatus Zone, corresponding to the Paleocene–Eocene transition, as well as Cameroon Spathiphyllum vanegensis (ZpI) and Retibrevitricolpites triangulatus (ZpII) zones, which indicate the late Paleocene and early Eocene epochs, respectively. This, combined with the organic carbon-isotope excursion (CIE: ∼-6.4‰), contributed to accurately determining the Paleocene–Eocene boundary (PEB). Geochemical and clay mineralogical data indicate that the paleoenvironment experienced intrusive volcanism linked with the Cameroon Volcanic Line (CVL), and enhanced primary productivity, both of which show marked decline prior to the PEB. Additionally, significant chemical alteration (CIA values: 85–94) occurred under warm and humid conditions (kaolinite: 70–88% and smectite: 10–23%), with sediments being reworked and deposited in a dysoxic setting conducive to organic matter preservation, especially from the pre-PETM period onwards. From the pre-PETM to early PETM, the Gulf of Guinea was probably covered by an extensive Lowland Rainforest/Open Forest ecosystem with a diverse flora, mostly angiosperms, that thrived in warm and humid conditions. From the mid-Lower Eocene onwards, Lowland Rainforest/Open Forest and Freshwater Swamp Forest species began to coexist with certain Mangrove-Coastal Swamp species, indicating proximity to the sea.

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2021PreprintOpen access

Geochemistry of Onshore Deposits From Rio-Del-Rey Sub-Basin of The Western Atlantic Margin of Cameroon (Coastal Basin, South West Cameroon): Provenance And Environments of Sedimentation

Milan Stafford Tchouatcha, Pafouly Kassi Kassi, Cécile Olive Mbesse, Romeo Kuete Noupa, Wallace Junior Mam, Alain Préat

Research Square

<title>Abstract</title> The Rio del Rey Basin belongs to the coastal basins of Cameroon with Cretaceous to Cenozoic deposits. The Cretaceous (Cenomanian and Campanian-Maastrichtian) and Cenozoic (Paleocene) sediments were studied using major and trace elements geochemistry associated with mineralogical data. The studied samples are mainly made up of Fe-shale and shale with rare intercalations of Fe-sand in the Cenomanian deposits, Fe-shale and shale in the Campanian-Maastrichtian deposits and sub-litharenite, Fe-sand, shale and Fe-shale in the Paleocene deposits. These samples contain high LREE/HREE ratios (9.27 -24.23), no to slight positive Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu*= 1.02 – 1.44), moderate to high Al2O3/TiO2 (10.42 – 112.93) ratio and their position in the Ce vs. La/Yb, Zr vs. TiO2 and La/Sc vs. Th/Co diagrams indicate that they derivate from mainly felsic associated with subordinate intermediate igneous rocks. The CIA (Chemical Index of Alteration; 61.69 – 92.76), PIA (Plagioclase Index of Alteration; 62.16 – 99.47), K2O/Na2O ratios (0.08 – 22.125) and Zr/Sc vs. Th/Sc diagram suggest the source rocks have experienced low to high recycling and weathering (Paleocene deposits), high chemical weathering (Campanian-Maastrichtian) and moderate to high chemical watering (Cenomanian deposits). The SiO2 vs. Al2O3 + K2O + Na2O plot suggests a predominant semi-arid to arid climate with periodically semi-humid climate during the Paleocene, attested by the evolution of the clay minerals composition with association of illite-chlorite/vermiculite/kaolinite in the Cenomanian sediments and periodic appearance of siderite in the Campanian-Maastrichtian and Paleocene deposits. The Sr/Ba (0.41 – 2) and U/Th (0.16 – 0.28) ratios indicate brackish to shallow marine environment of deposition. The Arc-Rift-Collision of two sets of high and low silica rocks and SiO2 vs. K2O/Na2O diagrams indicate a Collisional or Active Continental Margin tectonic setting similar as the Cretaceous (Lower Mundeck and Logbadjeck Formation) and Paleocene (Nkapa Formation) deposits from the Douala sub-basin, which could reflect the Precambian basement history linked to the Neoproterozoic orogeny.

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CECILE OLIVE MBESSE

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