2024
Micropaleontogy
Name: Micropaleontogy
Code: GEO10332M
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/162 hours
Scientific Area:
Geology
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
Knowledge of the taxonomic characteristics and systematic classification of major groups of marine microfossils. The
contribution of each group of microfossils for the development of relative time scales and to understand the characteristics of environments and their evolution over geologic time. The importance of micropalaeontology in the research of natural resources.
The student should be able to:
- mastering techniques of field and laboratory.
- recognize the distinctive morphological characteristics of each group microfóssil.
- use treatises to determine the taxonomic classification of microfossils to the level of genus and species.
- determine the possible age or paleoenvironment by the study of genera and species present and their abundance in
assemblages of microfossils.
- prepare high-resolution biostratigraphical and paleoecological frameworks in order to document patterns of development of
sequences, such as those used in the research of oil and gas.
contribution of each group of microfossils for the development of relative time scales and to understand the characteristics of environments and their evolution over geologic time. The importance of micropalaeontology in the research of natural resources.
The student should be able to:
- mastering techniques of field and laboratory.
- recognize the distinctive morphological characteristics of each group microfóssil.
- use treatises to determine the taxonomic classification of microfossils to the level of genus and species.
- determine the possible age or paleoenvironment by the study of genera and species present and their abundance in
assemblages of microfossils.
- prepare high-resolution biostratigraphical and paleoecological frameworks in order to document patterns of development of
sequences, such as those used in the research of oil and gas.
Contents
Systematic study of the major groups of microfossils (foraminifera, ostracods, calcareous nanoplancton, radiolaria).
Stratigraphic distribution and ecology. Biostratigraphical (biozonation scales) and paleoecological importance. The microfossils as proxies (indicators of physical and chemical conditions of the environment and its evolution in space and time).
Laboratorial techniques for treatment of samples, preparation and study of microfossils.
Topics of scientific research in micropalaeontology (case studies, involving sequential stratigraphy and in particular the
definition of cronostratigraphic boundaries, paleoceanography, paleogeographic reconstructions, and biological evolution).
Stratigraphic distribution and ecology. Biostratigraphical (biozonation scales) and paleoecological importance. The microfossils as proxies (indicators of physical and chemical conditions of the environment and its evolution in space and time).
Laboratorial techniques for treatment of samples, preparation and study of microfossils.
Topics of scientific research in micropalaeontology (case studies, involving sequential stratigraphy and in particular the
definition of cronostratigraphic boundaries, paleoceanography, paleogeographic reconstructions, and biological evolution).
Teaching Methods
Lectures supported in the use of multimedia projections.
In practical classes students will make laboratorial preparations of samples for collecting microfossils, microscope observation and use of systematic treatises in the determination of specimens. Exercises of interpretation of statistical findings on microfossil assemblages for paleoecological and paleonvironmental characterization.
The evaluation will have a continuous component by performing regular minitests and homeworks.
In practical classes students will make laboratorial preparations of samples for collecting microfossils, microscope observation and use of systematic treatises in the determination of specimens. Exercises of interpretation of statistical findings on microfossil assemblages for paleoecological and paleonvironmental characterization.
The evaluation will have a continuous component by performing regular minitests and homeworks.
Certificações
