Environmental interpretation of the Sanganeh Formation at Sanganeh village, east of Kopeh-Dagh basin: Using palynological elements

The Sanganeh Formation crops out throughout the Kopeh-Dagh basin and is mainly composed of shale and marl with interbeds of siltstone and limestone. In this study، the Sanganeh Formation، with 550 meter thickness، has been studied at north of the Sanganeh village in eastern parts of the basin. According to distribution of organic matter content، four palynofacies types are identified. The main palynological groups and the statistical results indicate low to lack of oxygen content environment during deposition of this formation in the studied area. Also index dinocysts indicate the Sanganeh Formation was deposited in a marginal sea to shallow open marine environment. Geochemical analysis shows a good potential of organic matter accumulation.