Micropaleontological Stratigraphy

The course aims at providing students with the techniques of calcareous microfossils biostratigraphy (based on nannofossils and foraminifers). Therefore, at the end of the course the student will:

a) acquire the basic principles of biostratigraphy, also in relation to chronostratigraphy and magnetostratigraphy, and to know and identify the different types of biozone and bioevent;

b) know how to reconstruct a stratigraphic log (even on the field or from cores) and to carry out a biostratigraphic sampling;

c) be familiar with the main biostratigraphy schemes, based on nannofossils and foraminifera, applicable in both oceanic areas and Mediterranean, with particular reference to the Neogene-Quaternary time interval;

d) acquire methods of sample preparation for optical microscopic analysis for both nannofossils and foraminifers;

e) acquire sample preparation methods for SEM analysis of nannofossils and foraminifers;

f) recognize the main nannofossil and foraminifera taxa, useful for the stratigraphy of Neogenic and Quaternary sediments.

g) write a bio-chronostratigraphic report.

The course is organized as follows:

- Traditional lectures, carried out using a participative approach in order to obtain the maximum involvement of the students;

- Laboratory activities: washing of samples for foraminifera analysis; preparation of smear slides for the analysis of calcareous nannofossils;

- Assisted and autonomous activity of optical microscopy, with analysis of washed samples and smear slides;

- Periodic tests, aimed to verify the level of understanding of the topic of the course and the problem-solving capacity of the students;

- Excursions in the field with particular attention to the reconstrucion of stratigraphic logs and sampling tecnique for biostratigraphic analysis.

If the teaching is given in mixed or remote modalities, the necessary changes may be introduced with respect to what previously stated, in order to respect the program envisaged and reported in the syllabus.

Exams can also be carried out in remote modality, should the conditions require it.

- To have acquired the concepts of the Stratigraphic Geology Course, (taught in the 2nd semester of the 1st year of the 3-year CdL in Geological Sciences), with particular reference to the basic Stratigraphic Units and the concepts of Bio- and Chrono-Stratigraphic correlation and Homotaxy.

- Be familiar with the polarizing optical microscope.

Micropaleontological Stratigraphy, Lectures: 4 CFU (28 hours)

Part I: Introduction

Definition and Purposes of Micropaleontological Stratigraphy. Principles of biostratigraphy; concept of “index fossil” and Homotaxy; stratigraphic correlation. Types of bio-horizon and their identification. Biostratigraphic schemes. Integrated biostratigraphy. Methods of qualitative and quantitative biostratigraphic analyses. Correlation between biostratigraphy, Geologic Time Scale (GTS) and Geo-Polarity Time Scale (GPTS).

Part II: Foraminifers (R. Maniscalco)

General information on foraminifers. Use of foraminifers in stratigraphy. Use of foraminifera for paleoenvironmental and paleoecological reconstructions.

Part III: Nannofossil (A. Di Stefano)

Generalities on calcareous nannofossils. Use of nannofossils in stratigraphy. Use of calcareous nannofossil for paleoenvironmental and paleoecological reconstructions.

Micropaleontological Stratigraphy, Laboratory: 2 CFU (24 hours)

• Stratigraphic reconstructions (logs) of successions in the outcrop, well and cores.
• Sampling techniques for biostratigraphic purposes.
• Preparation of slides for observation of nannofossils at optical microscope.
• Preparation of residues for observation of foraminifers at optical microscope.
• Preparation of stubs for observation of nannofossils and foraminifers at SEM.
• Recognition of the main nannofossil taxa, useful for stratigraphic purposes, with particular reference to the Neogene-Quaternary time interval (A. Di Stefano).
• Recognition of the main foraminifer taxa, useful for stratigraphic purposes, with particular reference to the Neogene-Quaternary time interval (R. Maniscalco).
• SEM analyses.
• Drafting of a bio-chronostratigraphic report.

1) PERCH-NIELSEN K. (1985) - Cenozoic calcareous nannofossils. In: H.M. BOLLI, J.B. SAUNDERS, & K. PERCH-NIELSEN. (Eds.): “Plankton Stratigraphy”. Cambridge University Press, 427-554.

2) BOLLI H.M. & SAUNDERS J.B. (1985) - Oligocene to Holocene low latitude planktic foraminifera. In: H.M. BOLLI, J.B. SAUNDERS, & K. PERCH-NIELSEN. (Eds.): “Plankton Stratigraphy”. Cambridge University Press, 155-262.

3) IACCARINO S. (1985) – Mediterranean Miocene and Pliocene planktic foraminifera. In: H.M. BOLLI, J.B. SAUNDERS, & K. PERCH-NIELSEN. (Eds.): “Plankton Stratigraphy”. Cambridge University Press, 283-314.

4) CITA M.B. Guida allo studio delle micropaleontologia. Milano, La Goliardica.

5) IACCARINO S. & PEMOLI SILVA I. Practical Manual of Oligocene to Middle Miocene Planktonic Foraminifera.

6) IACCARINO S. & PEMOLI SILVA I. Practical Manual of Neogene Planktonic Foraminifera.

7) MCGOWRAN B. Biostratigraphy. Microfossil and Geological Time. Cambridge University Press

8) AUBRY M.P. Handbook of calcareous nannofossils, (vol. 1-5).

9) BOWN P.R. Calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy. Kluwer Academic Press.

10) Lecture notes provided by the teachers during the course.