Organic-Walled Microfossils from Barnicarndy 1 Well, Canning Basin

Geoscience Australia's Exploring for the Future program conducted a palynological reconnaissance study on 42 core samples from the Lower Ordovician Nambeet Formation in the Barnicarndy 1 well. The study identified a diverse suite of acid-resistant organic-walled microfossils, including acritarchs, algae, cryptospores, and chitinozoans, to assess their utility for regional and international correlation. Digital images of the microfossils accompany the record.

Use Cases

• Stratigraphic correlation and age dating based on identified microfossil assemblages like the Rhopaliophora pilata–R. palmata complex.
• Analysis of organic matter preservation and thermal maturity based on described palynomorph color and condition.
• Study of early marine and terrestrial life forms based on the described diversity of acritarchs, algae, cryptospores, and graptolites.

Strengths

• Includes digital images of all identified microfossil types mentioned in the description.
• Based on 42 samples taken from a fully cored section spanning 1354.80–2435.04 meters.
• Enables correlation with previously documented assemblages from two other wells in the Canning Basin.

Limitations

• Microfossil yield per sample is described as mostly low, with preservation ranging from poor to good.
• Row count and column-level documentation are absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• No palynomorphs were recovered from other formations intersected in the well, leaving their age undated by this method.

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia's Exploring for the Future (EFTF) Energy program, via the Australian Ocean Data Network.

Collection Method

Palynological study of acid-resistant organic-walled microfossils from core samples.

Time Range

Lower Ordovician period.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-10 18:53:21.453891; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Barnicarndy 1 stratigraphic well, Barnicarndy Graben, Canning Basin, Western Australia.