palynoflora of middle cretaceous (albian-cenomanian ...

Egypt. J. Exp. Biol. (Bot.), 9(1): 87 – 95 (2013)

© The Egyptian Society of Experimental Biology

RESEARCH ARTICLE Lashin G. M. Abu-Sabaa* Ied I. Mohamed

P AL YNOFLOR A OF M IDDLE CRET ACEOUS (ALBI AN -CENOMAN IAN) IN GHOR AB -1 BOREHOLE, NORTH WESTERN DESERT OF EGYPT

ABSTRACT: Palynostratigraphic studies on the Cretaceous subsurface sediment of Ghorab-1 well from the northern part of the W estern Desert have been investigated. Palynoflora are found to be derived principally from Pteridophyte spores (vascular land plants, 10 species), Gymnosperm pollen grains (13 species), Angiosperm pollen grains (14 species) and rare contribution of aquatic palynomorphs (9 taxa). The Palynoflora showed that the palaeoenvironments were favorable for different plant groups. The recovered microflora, therefore, indicated that the age nearly to Late-Albian (Kharita Formation) Early Cenomanian (Bahariya Formation).Two distinct assemblage zones have been distinguished (I: Elaterosporites klaszii, Afropollis operculatus and II: Elaterocolpites castelainii, Cretacaeiporites polygonalis). The palynological data e.g. Elaterosporites klaszii, Afropollis operculatus, Cicatricosisporites minutistriatus, Perotriletes pannuceus and Elaterocolpites castelainii, Cretacaeiporites spp. proved also that the north W estern Desert of Egypt belongs to the North Gondwana phytogeoprovince during the Cretaceous time. KEY WORDS:

Cretaceous, palynostratigraphy, palynomorphs, Western Desert, Egypt

CORRESPONDENCE:

Gamal Mahmoud Abu-Sabaa Lashin Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt E-mail: [email protected] Ibrahim Mohamed Ied Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

INTRODUCTION: The Cretaceous palynof lora and its biostratigraphic correlation with the other localities was the main target of many palynologists. Due to this f act the past f ew decades, the area of Egypt in general and the W estern Desert in particular have been subjected to more palynological studies, which threw light on the microflora characteristics of the Cretaceous time. The studied section (Kharita-Baharyia Formation) is generally barren f rom diagnostic macrof auna and consequently the delineation of the Lower Cretaceous stratigraphic boundaries as rather a questionable Problem (Sultan and Ali, 1986). The palynomorphs and palynozonation especially in W estern Desert have been discussed by some workers (Omran et al., 1990; Ibrahim and Schrank, 1996; Lashin, 1999; Mahmud and Moawad, 2000; Schrank and Mahmud, 2002; Baioumi and Lashin, 2003; Lashin, 2005; Lashin, 2007; El-Beialy et al., 2010; El-Beialy et al., 2011). The main objectives of this work are the study of microflora and the palynostratigraphy of Late Albian – Early Cenomanian sequence intersected in Ghorab-1 well. The present investigation aims also to confirm or correct these ages determination. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present study is based on the investigation of subsurface ten rock samples (picked f rom Kharita Fm. 8 samples and f rom Baharyia Fm. 2 samples) recovered f rom Ghorab-1well (Gh.-1) in the W estern Desert (Fig. 1). According to the geologic composite well logs of Petroleum Companies, (Composite well log of the studied well was kindly provided by E.G.P.A. (Egyptian General Petroleum Authorities). The represented Cretaceous age is: Albian (Kharita Formation) and Cenomanian (Baharyia Formation). The ages f rom which we managed to obtain the ten samples are those shown in figure 2.

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Egypt. J. Exp. Biol. (Bot.), 9(1): 87 – 95 (2013)

The samples from this well were palynologically investigated. The technical procedures for preparation of the selected samples that consist mainly of shale, silt shale, and carbonates for palynological investigation, were that adopted by Herngreen (1983). Permanent slides are prepared using glycerin jelly as a mounting medium. Slides were prepared from every stage during methods of preparation. The slides from the studied samples were investigated by light microscope (LM). The palynomorphs assemblages are examined, photographed (by Digital Camera for Microscope DCM310 (USB2.0) 3 M pixel, CMOS chip) and identified. The materials were deposited in the Department of Botany, Faculty of Sciences, Zagazig University, Egypt. Studied Site: Ghorab-1 well (Gh.-1) was drilled by General Petroleum Co. in 1973, and is located at Lat.: 29º 42` North and Long: 26º 50` East (Fig. 1). The well traversed strata belonging to Miocene, Oligocene, Eocene and Paleocene was bottomed in Cretaceous sediments with a total depth of 10078 ft. (Norton 1967). The samples depths are given in figure 2. Lithology: According to the composite well logs the studied samples are mainly Cretaceous, particularly Albian-Cenomanian (Hanter 1990). The recorded section in the studied well is nearly 50 ft. thick in Baharyia Formation (Early- Cenomanian) its underline by the Kharita Fm. (El-Bialy et al., 2010). Kharita Formation (Late- Albian) in the studied well is nearly 400 ft. thick and its rested conformable underline the Baharyia Formation (EarlyCenomanian) (Hanter 1990).

RESULTS: The investigated samples are covering mainly an interval of the Late Albian and Early Cenomanian sediments. Some of these samples (mainly sand stone sediments) are found to be palynologically ill preserved. A relatively rich palynomorphs assemblage has been recovered. All samples (5 slides from every interval) revealing palynomorphs are quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed. Representative forms are illustrated in plates 1&2 and the palynograme of quantitative analysis is present in figure 3. Palynoflora are found to be derived principally from Pteridophyte spores (vascular land plants, 10 species), Gymnosperm pollen grains (13 species), Angiosperm pollen grains (14 species) and rare contribution of aquatic palynomorphs (9 taxa) (Table 1, Fig. 2, and Plates 1&2). The assemblages show a good diversity of angiosperm pollen grains mainly of Afropollis jardinus, A. operculatus, Clavatipollinites sp., Liliacidites peroreticulatus, Ritmonocolpites sp., Tricolpites sp. and Cretacaeiporites scabratus was characterized by its low diversity of spores- pollen content with the occurrence of familiar Cenomanian spores of Elaterocolpites castelainii and angiospermous pollen of Tricolpites and Afropollis jardinus. The most familiar spores are Elaterosporites klaszii, Cicatricosisporites minutistriatus, Perotriletes pannuceus and Concavissimisporites punctatus with the long ranging genera of Cyathidites, Matonisporites and Dictyophillidites. Pollen grains of gymnosperm are mainly represented by the genera of Araucariacites, Classopollis, Callialasporites and Ephedripites which are familiar during the Early Cenomanian time.

Table1. Palynostratigraphy zones which determined by comparing the microflora assemblages with those known from previous dated sequences. Age

Formation

EL-Beialy, 1994

Schrank and Ibraheim, 1995

EL-Beialy et al, 2011

The present study zones

Late Albian- Early Cenomanian

Baharyia (7894-7775) Baharyia

1-Elaterocolpites castelainii

1-Afropollis jardinus, 2-Elaterosporites klaszii, 3- Elaterocolpites castelainii,

3- Cretacaeiporites polygonalis

2-Faveotricolpites cf. callosus, 4-Cretacaeiporites scabratus

1-Elaterosporites klaszii,

5-Perotriletes pannuceus,

2-Sofrepites legouxae

6-Pelletieria minutastritus, Kharita

2-Afropollis jardinus,

1-Cretacaeiporites polygonalis,

7-Ehcimonocolpites sp.

3-Elaterosporites verrucatus, 4-Galeacornea cf. causea.

3-Afropollis jardinus

4-Faveotricolpites sp.cf. callosus. Kharita (8179-7953) 1-Elaterosporites klaszii, 2-Afropollis operculata 3-Perotriletes pannuceus 4-Matonisporites equiexinus

The palynogram (Fig. 3) shows that the interval between depths 7775-7894 ft. (samples No. 1-3). are abundant by palynomorphs, and depths between 7894 ft.ISSN: 1687-7497

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8071ft. are rare but the interval between 8100-8179ft. has common assemblages of palynomorphs.

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Lashin & Ied, Palynoflora of Middle Cretaceous (Albian-Cenomanian) In Ghorab -1 Borehole, North Western Desert of Egypt

Associations: Afropollis jardinus, Faveotricolpites cf. callosus. Therefore, the age assigned to this zone is tentative.

Spore of land plants Gymnosperms Angiosperms Dinocysts Acritarchs Fresh water algae

40 35 30 25 % of Palynomorhs

89

Definition: This zone is defined from the last occurrence of Elaterocolpites castelainii to just above the last occurrence of Cretacaeiporites polygonalis.

20 15 10 5 Acritarchs

0 1

2

Angiosperms 3

4

5

Sample Number

6

7

Spore of land plants 8

9

10

Fig. 3. Histogram of qantitave and qualitative analysis of palynomorphs in Ghourab-1 well

Palynostratigraphy Nearly most the studied samples contained well preserved palynomorphs assemblages in fluctuating relative abundances. Microforaminifera linings also are present. In addition to other forms as Acritarchs, fresh water algae, and fungal remains were also recovered (Plates 1&2).This study depends on the miospores record, and the local biostratigraphic importance of some dinocysts. The proposed notation is based upon the qualitative and quantitative changes of the recorded taxa, as well as the top most occurrences, with few exceptions, of stratigraphically significant miospores and dinocysts. A complete list of the recorded taxa can be found in table 2. Two palynological zones are discussed in ascending stratigraphic order (Fig. 2) as follows: Zone I: Afropollis operculata -Elaterosporites klaszii. Age: Late Albian (Kharita Formation, 81798200 ft.), sample numbers (1-7). Definition: This assemblage age zone is characterized by the highest occurrence of both Afropollis operculata and Elaterosporites klaszii. From samples no. 1-7 (Table 1 & Fig. 2) the lower boundary is distinguished by the lower most occurrence of the above mentioned species, while the upper boundary occurs just above the last appearance datum of Elateroplicites africaensis Associations: In addition to the presence of nominate species this zone is characterized by the occurrence of Perotriletes pannuceusMatonisporites equexsinous – Concavissimisporites punctatus-Classopollis classoides, Todisporites major, Cicatricosisporites, Classopollis classoides. Occurrence: Depth interval from (8100-8200, about 100ft. thickness), within the Kharita Formation. Zone II: Cretacaeiporites Elaterocolpites castelainii.

polygonalis-

Age: Early Cenomanian (Baharyia Formation, 8200-7775), sample numbers (8-10). Definition: From samples no. 8-10 (Table 1 & Fig. 2) to the first occurrence of Afropollis jardinus.

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Occurrence: Depth interval from 7894 to 8179 ft. (400ft. thickness), samples 8–10, (Table 1) within the Baharyia Formation. Table

2. The botanical affinities of the recorded palynomorphs species accordance the data of Abbink et al. (2004)

No

species

Botanical affinity Pteridophyta (Ferns)

1

Todisporites major Couper 1958

-Osmundaceae -Salvinaceae

2

Perotriletes pannuceus

3

Cicatricosisporites minutistriatus

4

Appendicisporites sp.1

5

Appendicisporites sp.2

6

Concavissimisporites punctatus

8

Dictyophyllidites harrisii Couper 1958 Matenosporites equiexinus

9

Cyathidites australis

7

- Schizaeaceae - Cyatheaceae/ Dicksoniaceae/ Dipteridaceae Gleichinaceae Pteridophyta (Dipteridaceae/Matoniaceae) -Matoniaccae -Cyathaceae Gymnosperms pollen grains

10

Elaterosporites klaszii

11

Elaterocolpites castelainii

- Unknown gemnosperms

Elateroplicites africaensis 12

Araucariacites australis

13

Callialasporites dampieri

-Conifers- Araucariaceae

14

Classopollis classoides

- Coniferophyta (Cheirolepidiaceae)

15

Ginkgocycadopites sp.,

Ginkgoales/Cycadales/Bennetitales

16

Ephedripites egyptiaca

17

Ephedripites sp.

-Ephedriaceae

Ephedripites cf. dudarensis 18

Eucommidites sp.

19

Taxodiaceaepollenites sp.

-Gnetales/Cycadales/Bennetitales -Taxodiaceae

20

Reyrea sp.

- unknown gemnosperms

23

Monosulcates sp.

Ginkgoales/Cycadales/Bennetitales

21

Brenneripollis peroreticulatus

22

Liliacidites reticulatis

Liliatae?

24

Clavatipollinites sp.

Chloranthaceae?

25

Cretacaeiporites polygonalis

Angiosperms pollen grains

26

Afropollis jardinus

27

Afropollis operculatus

28

Afropollis kharaminises

Alismatidae?

Winteraceae?

29

Retimonocolpites sp.

unknown

30

Tricolpites sp.1, 2, 3, & 4.

unknown

31

Triporites sp.

unknown

32

Tricolporopollenites sp.

unknown Aquatic palynomorphs

33

Desmids sp. (Staurastrum sp.)

Chlorophyta

34

Proximate dinoflagelates (Gymnodinium sp.)

Dinophyceae (Gymnodiniaceae)

35

Chorates dinoflagelates(Oligospheredium sp.)

Dinophyceae

36

Microforaminifera lining

Foraminifera

37

Acritarchs elements

Acritarcha

38

Fungal spores

Mycota

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Palaeoenvironmental interpretations: The sedimentary succession in the Gh.-1 well starts at the top with the deposition of the Baharyia Formation, in a shallow marine and fluvio-deltaic environment (Schlumberger 1984). The palynoflora from the Early Cenomanian Baharyia Formation are dominated by pteridophytic spores, gymnosperm and angiosperm pollens (Table 2, Figs 2&3, Plates 1&2) and some phytoplanktons. The deposition took place rapidly in quit condition comparatively close to shore and source vegetation. The presence of some algae e.g. Pediastrum is indication to fresh water input in this lagoon. Miospores are represented mainly by some smooth forms assigned to Dictyophyllidites harisii and Todisporites major and by sculptured forms such as Cicatricosisporites spp. The high abundance of Matonisporites equiexinus suggests a freshwater environment. The gymnosperm pollens are dominated by Araucariacites, produced by conifers which developed on the relatively dry hinterland associated with Epheidroids and Classopollis/ Circulina. Both of them are commonly interpreted as derived from xerophytes plants, (Uwins and Batten, 1985). At the base of Kharita Formation, the continental environments were common (El-Beialy, 1994). The palynoflora of Late Albian were dominated by Afropollis operculata, Elaterosporites klaszii, Perotriletes pannuceus, Matonisporites equiexinus, Concavissimisporites punctatus and Classopollis classoides. Overall, deposition is of a strong terrestrial input into a near shore marine setting. A warm and dry climate prevailed and based on the presence and association of the elaterate pollens, Afropollis and Cretacaeiporites spp. DISCUSSION: Afropollis operculata was described for the first time from the Middle /Late Albian– Middle Cenomanian of northern Gondwana (Doyle et al., 1977). Subsequent records from Egypt, Libya, other African countries, the Persian Gulf area, and the Mediterranean are reported in Palynodata and W hite (2008). Elaterocolpites castelainii was described for the first time from Late Albian–Early Cenomanian of Senegal (Jardine´ and Magloire, 1965). Most of the references place the taxon in the Albian. However, there are other references that place it into sections as young as Early Cenomanian. Its occurrence in sediments as old as Aptian from the Nile Delta (EL-Beialy et al. 2010; Batten and Uwins 1985; Batten 1982; Thusu and Van Der E e m 1 98 5 ). H e rn g re en a n d Du eň as -Ji min e z (1990) in their review of the distribution of elaterate pollen in the African-South American Province noted that Elaterocolpites castelainii appear in upper Albian and disappear in ISSN: 1687-7497

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upper Cenomanian. Dino et al. (1999) recorded frequent occurrence of Elaterocolpites castelainii in Upper AlbianUpper Cenomanian strata of the Caju group Basin of Northeast Brazil. The age of the zone I: is Late Albian, based on correlation with the Afropollis operculata -Elaterosporites klaszii Zone of Abd EL-Shafy and Abd EL-Moneim (1991), all dated as Late Albian. Some of these assemblages have been reported before from the W estern Desert, by Soliman et al. (1991), Bassiuni et al. (1992), El-Shamma and Baioumi (1992), Schrank and Ibrahim (1995), and Ibrahim (1996) and attributed to the Albian age. The age of the Zone II: is Early Cenomanian Cretacaeiporites polygonalisElaterocolpites castelainii based on correlation with Schrank and Ibrahim (1995) and Ibrahim (1996) palynostratigraphy. These data confirm age determination given by composite wells logs, with some change in this section as the result of studied palynomorphs as shown above. The fresh water of algal bodies are abundant which indicates that the environment was river input or delta ecosystem. This ecosystem was influenced also by few marine elements (in shore marine line) e.g. Acritarchs and proximate dinocycts. Fern spores, gymnosperms and angiosperms pollen grains were common or frequent during these intervals, which indicate that the presence of terrestrial elements near shoreline and sea level fluctuations. Using broad stratigraphic and geographical trends, many authors have argued that the angiosperms originated in and radiated from northern Gondwana and southern Laurasia (Doyle, 1992). Their introduction into southern Gondwana suggests routes through African and South America although the evidence is equivocal (Dettmann, 1992), as for other regions. Only when the sequences of palynological events through Cretaceous successions of global scale become better known it will be possible to interpret patterns of migration and extinction more precisely. Important in strata of mid to late Albian and Early Cenomanian age in the same African-South American region are palynomorphs of probable gymnospermous affinity with elaters. These are typified by Afropollis, Elaterosporites, Elaterocolpites and Elateroplicites commonly occurring in association, depending on geographic location and age and the more cosmopolitan Araucariacites, Classopollis/ Circulina, Cycadopites, Ephedripites and Eucommiidites, (Batten, 1996). CONCLUSION: The Palynostratigraphic and palaeoenvironments analyses of 10 cuttings samples from the Cretaceous (AlbianCenomanian) Kharita and Baharyia Formations have led to the following conclusions:

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Lashin & Ied, Palynoflora of Middle Cretaceous (Albian-Cenomanian) In Ghorab -1 Borehole, North Western Desert of Egypt

Kharita -Baharyia formations have yielded a diverse and well preserved records of miospores (gymnosperm, angiosperm pollens and fern spores), and some dinoflagelates cysts, allowing to detect two palynological zones in ascending stratigraphic order. The palynological data e.g. Elaterosporites klaszii, Cicatricosisporites minutistriatus, Perotriletes pannuceus and Afropollis jardinus proved also that the north Western Desert of Egypt belongs to the North Gondwana phytogeoprovince during the Cretaceous time.

91

Ghorab-1

Fig. 1. The locality of the studied Ghorab-1 borehole ( (After Ibrahiem, 1996).

Fig. 2. Range distribution chart for palynomorphs species in Ghorab-1well, north Western Desert Egypt.

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)

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Egypt. J. Exp. Biol. (Bot.), 9(1): 87 – 95 (2013) (0.5%, rare (+) 1–4%, common (●) 5–9%, abundant (□). (A.Z ) Assemblage zone

Plate 1. Palynomorphs recorded during Late Albian-Early Cenomanian, all Figs x 800 except that are noted, 1- Cyathidites australis x 2000, 2- Concavissimisporites punctatus, 3- Dictyophyllidites harisii, 4- Appendicisporites sp., 5- Todisporites major, 6- Matonisporites equiexinus, 7- Cicatricosisporites minutistriatus, 8- Cicatricosisporites sp., 9-Perotriletes pannuceus,10- Araucariacites australis, 11- Classopollis classoides, 12- Ginkgocycadopites sp., 13- Ephedripites cf. dudarensis x 2000, 14- Taxodiaceaepollenites sp., 15- Elaterocolpites castelainii, 16- Liliacidites reticulates, 17Afropollis operculatus, 18- Brenneripollis peroreticulatus, 19- Elaterosporites klaszii.

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Plate 2. Palynomorphs recorded during Late Albian-Early Cenomanian, all Figures x 800, except that are noted: 1- Afropollis operculatus, 2- Afropollis jardinus, 3- Tricolpites sp. x2000, 4- Rousea doylei x2000, 5- Tricolpites sp. x2000, 6- Eucommidites sp. X 2000, 7- Faveotricolpites sp. X 2000, 8- (Dinoflagellate cyst) Oligospheredium sp. (Chorate dinoflagelates), 9-Chorates dinoflagelates, 10- Staurastrum sp.(Dismedes), 11&12- Proximate dinoflagelates, 13- Pediastrum sp., 14- cf. Dinogymium sp., 15- Epedirmal plant cuticles, 16- Fungal spores.

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Bohemian Massif. Ph.D. Charlis University, Czech Republic. 163 pp., 43 pl. Lashin GMA. 2005. Characteristic sporomorphs of the Gondwana province in the Cenomanian of Bohemia (Central Europe)– Comparison with the Mid-Cretaceous of Egypt (Northern East Africa). J. Egypt. Soc. Biotechnol. Environ.l Sci., 1(C):13-27. Lashin GMA. 2007. Palynostratigraphic studies of the Lower Cretaceous sediments, Alamein Formation, Bahrein-1 well in the northern part of the W estern Desert, Egypt. J. Environ. Sci., 7(9): 1304-1313. Mahmoud MS, Moawad AR. 2000. JurassicCretaceous (Bathonian to Cenomanian) palynology and Stratigraphy of the W est Tiba1 borehole, northern W estern Desert, Egypt. J. Afr. Earth Sci., 30(2): 401-416. Norton P. 1967. Rock stratigraphic nomenclature of the W estern Desert, Egypt: General Petroleum Corporation of Egypt internal report. Omran AM, Soliman HA, Mahmoud MS. 1990. Early Cretaceous palynology of three boreholes from northern W estern Desert Egypt. Rev. Palaeobot. Palyno., 66: 293-312. Palynodata INC, W hite JM. 2008. Palynodata Data file: 2006 version, with Introduction by W hite, J.M. Geological Survey of Canada. Open File, 5793, 1CD-ROM. Schlumberger S. 1984. Well evaluation conference of Egypt. Schlumberger Middle East. pp. 201. Schrank E, Ibraheim MI. 1995. Cretaceous (AptianMaastrichtian), palynology of foraminiferdated wells (KRM-1, AG-18) in northwestern Egypt. Berliner Geowissenschaftliche Abhandlungen, Reihe A, 177: 1-44. Schrank E, Mahmoud MS. 2002. Barremian angiosperm pollen and Association palynomorphs from the Dakhla Oasis area, Egypt. Paleontology, 45(1): 33-56. Soliman HA, Omran AM, Mahmoud MS, Moawad AR.1991. Lower Cretaceous palynology of ElKheit-1 and Shushan-1x wells, North Western Desert, Egypt. Bull. Fac. Sci., Assiut Univ., 20(1-F): 31-60. Sultan IZ, Ali SM. 1986. Palynological zonation of Albian-Cenomanian sediments in the northern part of the Western Desert of Egypt. Bull. Fac. Sci., Alex. Univ., 26(3): 80101. Thusu B, Van Der Eem JGL.1985. Early Cretaceous (Neocomian-Cenomanian) palynomorphs. In: “Palynostratigraphy of North-East Libya. (Thusu B. Eds)”. J. Brit. Micropaleontol. Soc. London, 4(1): 131-150. Uwins

PJR, Batten DJ. 1985. Early to MidCretaceous palynology of northeast Libya. J. Micropalaeontol., 4(1): 131-150.

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Lashin & Ied, Palynoflora of Middle Cretaceous (Albian-Cenomanian) In Ghorab -1 Borehole, North Western Desert of Egypt

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