subject: Application of Organic and Forensic Palynology [print this page] If you want to study palynology, you should pursue a geology degree, because, even though there are no such thing as separate palynology degree, master's geology degree will provide you with the opportunity to study this subject.
Palynology represents the standard tool for subsurface biostratigraphical correlation of Euramerican Late Carboniferous sequences.
Even though palynomorphs are usually absent from sandstone lithologies, they can form diverse and abundant assemblages in fine-grained sediments and coals. The occurrence of inter- and intra-sandstone horizons that contain distinctive palynological assemblages forms the basis for the correlation and discrimination of sandstone reservoirs, and the application of palynology to development drilling programmes.
The successful application of development palynology is contingent upon many factors which are related to geology (occurrence and lateral consistency of distinctive horizons, sandstone-body type, nature of intra-reservoir units, degree of reservoir incision, etc.) and to practical constraints (sampling strategies with ditch cuttings, such as the nature of databases, standardization of preparation and data acquisition techniques, and time and cost limitations). The developing palynologist needs to be critically aware of the existence of such constraints, and should limit the confidence attached to interpretations and predictions made accordingly.
Palynology is usually used for a diverse range of applications, related to many scientific disciplines:
Organic palynofacies studies, which examine the preservation of the particulate organic matter and palynomorphs provides information on the depositional environment of sediments and depositional palaeoenvironments of sedimentary rocks.
Biostratigraphy and geochronology. Geologists use palynological studies in biostratigraphy to correlate strata and determine the relative age of a given bed, horizon, formation or stratigraphical sequence.
Geothermal alteration studies examine the colour of palynomorphs extracted from rocks to give the thermal alteration and maturation of sedimentary sequences, which provides estimates of maximum palaeotemperatures.
Forensic palynology the study of pollen and other palynomorphs for evidence at a crime scene.
Limnology studies. Freshwater palynomorphs and animal and plant fragments, including the prasinophytes and desmids (green algae) can be used to study past lake levels and long term climate change.
Palynology is an interdisciplinary science and is a branch of earth science (geological science or geology) and biological science (biology), specifically plant science (botany).
