Exploration Geology

Microfossils and their importance in Earth Science issues. Foraminifers: elements of biology, taxonomy and ecology; foraminiferal distribution in marine and transitional to continental environments; ecological categories. Microfaunal response to the environmental changes in the past and in the future changes. Ocean acidification, extreme environments. Applications: paleoecology and environmental characterization of recent sites and biomonitoring. Sampling methods and material treatment for environmental and ecological reconstructions, analyses in situ and laboratory experiments. Micro-FTIR Spectroscopy. Optical and electron microscope.

Basics of lithology and textures of sedimentary rocks; basics of paleoecology, knowledge of Mesozoic and Cenozoic chronostratigraphic and chronologic units.

H.A. Armstrong & M.D. Brasier (2005), Microfossils. Blackwell Publishing; E. Molina (Ed. 2002) Handouts distributed during lectures and practical exercises. Additional learning material provided on the course webpage.

The frequency is strongly recommended

Oral and microscopic test consisting in the micropaleontological analysis of washing residues including microfossil identification and paleoenvironmental interpretation

Module I 5 Lectures 40 (hours) Module II 1 Exercises 12 (hours)