STRATIGRAFIA MICROPALEONTOLOGICA

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.

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

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

Part III: Nannofossil

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.
• Recognition of the main foraminifer taxa, useful for stratigraphic purposes, with particular reference to the Neogene-Quaternary time interval.
• 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.