Université Abdou Moumouni, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Laboratoire des Eaux Souterraines et Géoressources, Equipe Bassins et Géoressources, BP 10662 Niamey, Niger
The present study concerns the south-centre of the Nigerien part of the Iullemmeden intracratonic Basin. A multidisciplinary approach involving sedimentological analysis of facies and determination of fossils has been implemented for the characterization and determination of the Maastrichtian to Paleogene paleoenvironments in the Garadaoua and Garadoumé areas. The stratigraphic series of the study area includes, from the bottom to top, the Formations of: Farin Doutchi, In Wagar, Garadaoua and Ader Doutchi (Ct1 or Ar). The Maastrichtian Formations of Farin Doutchi and In Wagar, as well as the Paleocene Formation of Garadaoua are fossiliferous. Indeed, the base of the Farin Doutchi Formation contains bivalves, foraminifera and sea urchins, while, In Wagar contains remains of vertebrates and casts of gastropods. In the Garadaoua Formation, presence of the benthic foraminifer Ranikothalia bermudezi species made it possible to assign to it an Upper Paleocene age. Moreover, the presence in the Garadaoua Formation of the sea urchin Linthia sudanensis species implies, during this periode, the pre-existence of an epicontinental sea in the Iullemmeden basin. Besides, in the Ader Doutchi Formation, the demonstration of α and γ oolites, as well as proto-oolites, testifies an agitated environment with at least two oolithization phases.