This study conducted comprehensive bulk and molecular geochemical analyses, as well as elemental investigations, on seventeen black shale samples collected from the Upper Cretaceous sediments on the western margin of the Red Sea. The primary objective is to assess the hydrocarbon generation potential, maturity, source input, biodegradation levels, and depositional environment characteristics within the Lower Maastrichtian interval near the Safaga area. Lower Maastrichtian black shales demonstrate very good to excellent source rock generative potential based on pyrolysis data. The prevalent kerogen type in the older black shale at the Heweitat mine is Type II, whereas within the younger units at the Queih mine, it predominantly exhibits Type II/III kerogen. These Maastrichtian black shales remain thermally immature, as evidenced by vitrinite reflectance (VRr < 0.5%), pyrolysis data, and biomarker proxies.

The studied black shales show that the organic matter input comprises bacterial and algal biomass with minor terrigenous contributions. Additionally, there is no evidence of significant biodegradation in the studied samples based on molecular fossils data. Microscopic analysis and various bulk and molecular characteristics, in conjunction with major and trace element profiles, collectively indicate a marine depositional environment with oxygen-deficient bottom water conditions during source rock deposition. The presence of isorenieratene and aryl isoprenoids suggests persistent and episodic photic zone anoxia during the Maastrichtian period. Elevated nutrient inputs and paleobioproductivity were recorded in the older black shale at the Heweitat mine compared to the younger one at the Queih mine. Paleoproductivity and oxygen depletion emerge as pivotal factors influencing the accumulation and preservation of organic matter within the black shales. These findings provide valuable insights into the environmental conditions prevailing during the deposition of Maastrichtian sediments in the Eastern Desert.

这项研究对从红海西缘上白垩统沉积物采集的17 个黑色页岩样品进行了全面的整体和分子地球化学分析以及元素调查。主要目标是评估萨法加地区附近下马斯特里赫特层段的油气生成潜力、成熟度、源输入、生物降解水平和沉积环境特征。根据热解数据，下马斯特里赫特阶黑色页岩显示出非常好的烃源岩生成潜力。Heweitat 矿较老的黑色页岩中普遍存在的干酪根类型为 II 型，而 Queih 矿较年轻的单元中，主要为 II/III 型干酪根。这些马斯特里赫特黑色页岩在热学上仍不成熟，镜质体反射率 (VRr < 0.5%)、热解数据和生物标志物代理证明了这一点。

研究的黑色页岩表明，有机质输入包括细菌和藻类生物量，陆源贡献较小。此外，根据分子化石数据，没有证据表明所研究的样品发生了显着的生物降解。显微分析和各种体积和分子特征，结合主量和微量元素分布，共同表明烃源岩沉积期间具有缺氧底水条件的海洋沉积环境。异戊二烯和芳基异戊二烯的存在表明马斯特里赫特时期存在持续和间歇性的光区缺氧。与 Queih 矿较新的黑色页岩相比，Heweitat 矿较古老的黑色页岩的营养输入和古生物生产力有所提高。古生产力和氧气消耗成为影响黑色页岩内有机质积累和保存的关键因素。这些发现为了解东部沙漠马斯特里赫特沉积物沉积期间普遍存在的环境条件提供了宝贵的见解。