Foraminifera and Their Applications

Abstract

The abundance and diversity of Foraminifera ( ‘ forams ’ ) make them uniquely useful in studies of modern marine environments and the ancient rock record, and for key applications in palaeoecology and biostratigraphy for the oil industry. In a one-stop resource, this book provides a state-of-the-art overview of all aspects of pure and applied foram studies. Building from introductory chapters on the history of foraminiferal research, and research methods, the book then takes the reader through biology, ecology, palaeoecology, biostratigraphy and sequence stratigraphy. This is followed by key chapters detailing practical applications of forams in petroleum geology, mineral geology, engineering geology, environmental science and archaeology. All applications are fully supported by numerous case studies selected from around the world, providing a wealth of real-world data. The book also combines lavish illustrations, including over 70 stunning original picture-diagrams of Foraminifera, with comprehensive references for further reading, and online data tables provid- ing additional information on hundreds of foram families and species. Accessible and practical, this is a vital resource for graduate students, academic micropalaeontologists, and professionals across all disciplines and industry set- tings that make use of foram studies.