Project Description
Supervisors
Dr Tracy Aze, Biological and Marine Sciences (SoBMS), University of Plymouth | contact me
Dr Christopher Smart, School of Geography, Earth and Environment, University of Plymouth
Professor Sandra Piazolo, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds
Dr David Evans, School of Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton
Scientific Background
Planktonic foraminifera are single-celled marine protists that build calcium carbonate (calcite) shells, which are well-preserved in deep sea sediments. They have existed for ~150 million years, are found in all global oceans, and have one of the best species-level fossil records. Consequently, they are widely employed for palaeoenvironmental and biostratigraphic research and are increasingly becoming a model for macroevolutionary analysis.
Despite decades of research, the mechanisms by which planktonic foraminifera build their calcite shells remain elusive. This project will utilise Electron Back Scatter Diffraction (EBSD) and in-situ chemical analyses to investigate the shell wall at the microstructural level. The aim is to better understand how foraminifera biomineralisation occurs and how these structures vary between species. This research will not only enhance understanding of biomineralisation but also provide insights into how these processes have evolved. By linking microstructural features to environmental conditions and evolutionary history, it could improve palaeoenvironmental reconstructions and our understanding of macroevolutionary trends.
Research Methodology
- Investigate microstructural differences in the biomineralisation processes of planktonic foraminifera with differing wall textures.
- Quantify changes in the microstructure of planktonic foraminifera with differing preservation histories and investigate the implications for alteration of trace metal geochemistry.
- Investigate the prevalence of calcite twinning throughout the evolutionary history of planktonic foraminifera and the implications for shell strength.
Training
Training: The student will become an expert in foraminifera taxonomy and ecology and gain experience in various analytical techniques, such as Light Microscopy Z-stack image capture, Electron Back Scatter Diffraction, Time-of-flight Mass Spectrometry, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Fore Scatter Microscopy, and Electron Microprobe Analysis of trace element geochemistry.
Acceptable first degree subjects: Earth Sciences, Marine Biology, Palaeontology, Biology or a related field.