Definition and scope of the subject; Relationship of micropaleontology with ocean sciences; Modern field and laboratory techniques in the study of microfossils; A brief account of the concepts and methods for the development of micropaleontological indicators useful in reconstruction of history of past; Environmental changes and biostratigraphic correlation.
Types of Microfossils; Calcareous Microfossils, Siliceous Microfossils, Phosphatic Microfossils, Organic Walled Microfossils; Application of Micropaleontology in petroleum exploration; Environmental significance of microfossils; Geochemical study of microfossil tests (stable isotopes; radiocarbon isotopes and elemental composition) and its application in paleoceanography and paleoclimatology and tracing history of marine pollution; Interpretaion of sea floor tectonism from micropaleontological evidence.
Text/Reference Books:
- Haq, B.U. and Boersma, A, Introduction to Marine Micropaleontology, Elsevier Science
- Martin, R.E., Environmental Micropaleontology: The Application of Microfossils to Environmental Geology (Topics in Geobiology), Springer
- Jones, R.W., Foraminifera and their Applications, Cambridge University Press
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