Palynology at The University of Calgary Dept. of Geology and Geophysics

Limbicysta Marshall 1989, a type of fossil algal cyst from the Early Cretaceous. About 120 microns in size.

Faculty contact:

Dr. Len V. Hills, Dept. of Geology and Geophysics, Earth Sciences Building, room 278. E-mail: hills@geo.ucalgary.ca

What is paleopalynology?

Paleopalynology is the study of organic-walled microfossils. Usually this means fossil plant pollen and spores, and in marine environments, single-celled algae. It also includes other groups like scolecodonts (annelid worm jaws), chitinozoa, fungal spores, and the organic linings of foraminifera (single-celled "amoebas in a shell").

What is it good for?

Paleopalynology is great for relative age dating (biostratigraphy) and for determining past environments (paleoenvironment). Its greatest advantage is the small sample size (about 10 grams), which makes it ideal for studying rock from drill holes, especially in the petroleum industry. The colouration and type of palynomorphs also provide information on the thermal maturity and type of organic material in the rock - important features for assessing hydrocarbon potential.

"Modern" palynology deals with the same type of remains, but mainly using pollen and spores from living plants in modern environments. It has applications to crop analysis, sedimentation and weathering processes, the study of pollen and spores in honey (to identify its origin), forensics, and other fields.