The Department of Geology and Petroleum Sciences at the College of Science, University of Mosul, discussed on Wednesday, 10 June 2026, a PhD dissertation entitled:

“Biostratigraphic and Sedimentological Study of Paleocene–Eocene Successions in Selected Subsurface Sections of Northeastern Iraq.”

Part of the defense session was attended by the Dean of the College of Science, Prof. Dr. Hiyam Adel Ibrahim, the Head of the Department of Earth and Petroleum Sciences, Prof. Dr. Omar Khallouk Mohammed Sajid, as well as faculty members and postgraduate students.

The dissertation, submitted by Ms. Wiam Muzahim Abdulwahid Mohammed Al-Shuraida, presented a taxonomic and biostratigraphic investigation of calcareous nannofossil assemblages within the Paleocene–Eocene successions represented by the Aaliji and Jaddala Formations in the Khabaz (Kz-23) and Hamrin (Hr-1) wells in northern Iraq. These formations are bounded below by the Shiranish Formation (Maastrichtian) and above by the Pilaspi Formation.

The study employed a comprehensive taxonomic analysis of calcareous nannofossils and the identification of their biostratigraphic zones. This approach enabled the determination of the relative ages of the rock successions and the recognition of two unconformity surfaces separating major depositional stages.

The findings revealed the predominance of warm tropical to subtropical climatic conditions during deposition and documented the occurrence of the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) within the Aaliji Formation succession.

The dissertation also identified facies and petrographic characteristics indicative of relatively deep marine depositional environments influenced by sea-level fluctuations. Based on these findings, a sedimentological model was developed, illustrating the deposition of these formations within a broad marine basin associated with the final stages of the closure of the Tethys Ocean.

The study recommended conducting comprehensive geochemical investigations to further identify and correlate the PETM event with other geological sites in Iraq. It also emphasized the need to examine the organic maturity of the studied successions due to their deposition in deep basin environments.

The examination committee was chaired by:

• Prof. Dr. Nasreen Malla Allah Aziz – Chairperson

and included:

• Prof. Dr. Zaid Abdulwahab Malik – Member
• Assist. Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Younis Ahmed Mohammed – Member
• Assist. Prof. Dr. Muthanna Younis Mohammed Al-Dharab – Member
• Assist. Prof. Dr. Mahfouz Abdullah Ali – Member

The dissertation was supervised by:

• Prof. Dr. Omar Ahmed Mouloud Shihab
• Prof. Dr. Mohammed Ahmed Mohammed Amin

At the conclusion of the defense, the Dean of the College of Science presented a Letter of Appreciation to Assist. Prof. Dr. Muthanna Younis Mohammed from the University of Tikrit in recognition of his participation in the examination committee and his efforts in attending the dissertation defense.

This research aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4: Quality Education through the advancement of scientific research, Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure by enhancing geological and sedimentological knowledge, and Goal 13: Climate Action through the study of ancient climate change events and their geological records.

Media and Government Communication Division

Wednesday, 10 June 2026