Digital Processing and Statistical Analysis of Archived Micropaleontological Surveys

The former German Democratic Republic (GDR) conducted extensive hydrocarbon exploration in northern Saxony-Anhalt, the Altmark, a region geologically characterized by numerous salt dome structures. Drilling operations reached depths of up to 4,000 meters and an average depth of 2,000 meters, often penetrating the entire Cenozoic and Mesozoic strata.

Micropaleontological surveys were conducted at 423 drill sites and produced valuable stratigraphic and paleoenvironmental data. Once disclosed, these reports were scanned and archived in a conservation effort, remaining as non-OCR PDFs, limiting accessibility and modern analytical use. The digitization and standardization of these archived reports have now been completed, resulting in a unified dataset comprising approximately 1,600 unique, quality-controlled taxonomic and petrographic markers. Where possible, taxonomic names have been verified against the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS). This dataset forms the basis for ongoing statistical analyses, including cluster and co-occurrence studies, to explore distribution patterns and relationships within the micropaleontological record.

The project aims to refine the stratigraphic framework of the region and provide supplementary paleoenvironmental indicators. High-resolution, high-density stratigraphic data can help refine existing subsurface models and improve ties between borehole and seismic data. A comparative assessment against the GDR’s lithological-paleogeographical maps (scale 1:500,000) is planned to evaluate consistency and identify areas for model updates. With the digitization phase completed and statistical evaluations in progress, this study highlights the untapped potential of historical exploration data for modern geoscientific applications.