Palynology of the Hell Creek Formation in Montana
Department
Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering
Major
Geology and Geophysics
Research Advisor
Oboh-Ikuenobe, Francisca
Advisor's Department
Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering
Funding Source
Missouri S&T Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experiences (OURE) Program; National Science Foundation; Dr. Al Spreng Undergraduate Research Award
Abstract
Sediments were collected from the Hell Creek Formation and surrounding areas in Garfield County, Montana in 2008 and 2009 during the recovery of fossil bones of a Triceratops (a dinosaur), and the Snow Creek Microstratigraphy Project as part of a collaborative study with researchers from Washington University, St. Louis Community College, the St. Louis Science Center, and Missouri S&T. The Hell Creek spans the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) boundary, known for one of the largest Phanerozoic mass extinctions. The palynofacies and palynomorphs of these samples were analyzed utilizing transmitted light microscopy to interpret paleoenvironmental conditions and age of the sediments. The 69 samples studied contain abundant dispersed organic matter and pollen. Dispersed organic matter components are mainly comminuted and degraded phytoclasts, and structured phytoclasts (wood, cuticles, parenchyma), although palynomorphs (primarily pollen, spores, fungal remains), and opaque matter are also commonly preserved. Palynology is being integrated with sedimentology and vertebrate paleontology for interpretation.
Biography
Marissa is a senior at Missouri University of Science and Technology studying Geology and Geophysics. Marissa is a member of the C.L. Dake Geological Society, Geological Society of America, Eastern Missouri Paleonotological Society, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, and is Treasurer for Sigma Gamma Epsilon, the Earth Science Honor Society. While studying the palynology of the Hell Creek Formation in Montana, Marissa also co-authored another scientific publication on the palynology of Southeast Missouri. In addition to classroom and research experience, Marissa has spent several summers in the field excavating dinosaur bones in Montana, leading geological tours of Onondaga and Cathedral Caves, as well as educational programs and geological presentations. Marissa plans to continue her education at Missouri S&T as a graduate student of geological sciences.
Research Category
Sciences
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Location
Upper Atrium/Hallway
Presentation Date
06 Apr 2011, 9:00 am - 11:45 am
Palynology of the Hell Creek Formation in Montana
Upper Atrium/Hallway
Sediments were collected from the Hell Creek Formation and surrounding areas in Garfield County, Montana in 2008 and 2009 during the recovery of fossil bones of a Triceratops (a dinosaur), and the Snow Creek Microstratigraphy Project as part of a collaborative study with researchers from Washington University, St. Louis Community College, the St. Louis Science Center, and Missouri S&T. The Hell Creek spans the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) boundary, known for one of the largest Phanerozoic mass extinctions. The palynofacies and palynomorphs of these samples were analyzed utilizing transmitted light microscopy to interpret paleoenvironmental conditions and age of the sediments. The 69 samples studied contain abundant dispersed organic matter and pollen. Dispersed organic matter components are mainly comminuted and degraded phytoclasts, and structured phytoclasts (wood, cuticles, parenchyma), although palynomorphs (primarily pollen, spores, fungal remains), and opaque matter are also commonly preserved. Palynology is being integrated with sedimentology and vertebrate paleontology for interpretation.
