Organic-Walled Microfossils from Barnicarndy 1 Stratigraphic Well, Canning Basin

A palynological reconnaissance study of acid-resistant organic-walled microfossils from 42 core samples in the Lower Ordovician Nambeet Formation. The dataset includes digital images of diverse microfossils like acritarchs, cryptospores, and chitinozoans, collected by Geoscience Australia's Exploring for the Future program. The study assesses microfossil yield, preservation, and their utility for regional and international correlation.

Use Cases

• Biostratigraphic correlation based on identified microfossil assemblages like the Rhopaliophora pilata–R. palmata complex.
• Assessing thermal maturity of organic matter based on observed palynomorph color ranges from brown to black.
• Studying early marine and terrestrial ecosystems based on the diverse suite of microfossils including acritarchs, cryptospores, and graptolites.
• Evaluating microfossil preservation states and their relationship to depositional environments described as oxidising, open marine.

Strengths

• Includes digital images of all identified microfossil types mentioned in the description.
• Based on 42 core samples from a defined interval (1354.80–2435.04 mRT) in the Nambeet Formation.
• Identifies a diverse suite of microfossils including acritarchs, cryptospores, chitinozoans, and graptolites.

Limitations

• Microfossil yield per sample is described as mostly low, and preservation ranges from poor to good.
• Row count and column-level documentation are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data may reflect geographic bias inherent to a single stratigraphic well in the Barnicarndy Graben.

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia Data

Collection Method

Palynological analysis of 42 core samples from the Barnicarndy 1 stratigraphic well.

Time Range

Lower Ordovician

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-30 14:30:43.418012; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Barnicarndy Graben, Canning Basin, Western Australia