PALEOENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE UPPER CRETACEOUS LOWER TERTIARY FORAMINIFERA OF THE NORTH GUNNA SECTION, FARAFRA OASIS, WESTERN DESERT, EGYPT

The paleoenvironmental conditions of deposition, i.e. paleodepth and p aleotemperature, of the Lower Maastrichtian to Lower Eocene sediments of the North Gunna section in the Farafra Oasis (Western Desert, Egypt ), are discussed on the basis of some foraminiferal parameters. Paleod epth parameters, including keeled/non-keeled ratios, planktonic specie s diversity, planktonic and benthonic percentages, and planktonic/bent honic ratios, have been calculated through quantitative foraminiferal analyses of 37 rock samples, distributed in a representative way over the various rock units occurring in the measured stratigraphic section . Paleotemperature interpretations are based on the fluctuating percen tages of the rugoglobigerinids, planorotalitids, subbotinids and moroz ovellids.