Re-evaluation of the late Paleozoic ice age in eastern Australia

通过这个为期两年的项目，PIs将首次对澳大利亚东部古生代晚期冈瓦南冰川进行现代评估。目前，对澳大利亚东部冰川记录的解释所依据的数据和观测早于过去三十年来冰川地质领域的科学进展，因此，很难将该地区的信息纳入对该问题的全球审查。该项目的理由是，在收集到新的沉积学和地球化学数据并将其分解成一个强大的地层框架之前，对澳大利亚东部晚古生代的理解，以及它如何与全球图景相适应，都无法取得进展。拟议的项目将建立在澳大利亚昆士兰州和新南威尔士州的PIs先前进行的研究结果的基础上，并将受益于新南威尔士州石炭纪系统最近改进的年龄限制。该调查将包括：(1)收集澳大利亚新南威尔士州关键地区的沉积学数据；(2)由气候敏感的钙质组分生成气候变化的稳定同位素代用记录；(3)解释冰期与澳大利亚其他地区和冈瓦纳大陆其他地区的相关性。申请人是唯一有资格开展这项研究的人，他们具有必要的沉积学和地球化学技能和经验，在该领域有20年的研究经验，并有相当多的相关初步数据。本研究将有助于全球范围内对晚古生代冰窖期的重新评价，对国外的地球科学家具有重要的现实意义和现实意义。预计这项工作的结果，除其他成果外，将有助于建立日益复杂的过去气候数值模型，这些模型目前正被反复使用，以提供地质时期气候变化的速率和幅度的估计。更广泛的影响由于参与科学研究在引导学生对科学职业机会的看法方面起着强大而积极的作用，因此本科生和研究生都将参与研究活动。学生将参与数据收集和解释，并鼓励发表成果和参加专业会议。来自传统上在地球科学领域代表性不足的群体的学生将成为参与的目标。pi将与内布拉斯加大学林肯分校三重奏项目办公室合作，从这些小组中确定学生。拟议的研究结果将纳入教育活动，在专业会议上发表，并发表在同行评议的期刊上。虽然对社会的好处是间接的，但对气候变化数值模型输入参数的贡献是实实在在的。

Through the proposed two-year project, the PIs will provide the first modern evaluation of thelate Paleozoic Gondwanan glaciation in eastern Australia. Currently, the data and observationson which the interpretations of the glacial record in eastern Australia are based predate thescientific advances in the field of glacial geology of the past thirty years and, as such, have madeit difficult to incorporate information from the region into global reviews of the issue. Therationale for the proposed project is that until new sedimentological and geochemical data aregathered and resolved into a robust stratigraphic framework, understanding of the late Paleozoicice age in eastern Australia, and how it fits into the global picture, cannot be advanced. Theproposed project will build upon the results of previous studies carried out by the PIs inQueensland and New South Wales, Australia, and will benefit from recently improved ageconstraints for the Carboniferous system of New South Wales. This investigation will include:(1) collection of sedimentological data from key areas in New South Wales, Australia; (2)generation of stable isotopic proxy records of climate change derived from climate-sensitivecalcareous components; and (3) correlation of interpreted glacial periods with other areas inAustralia and other Gondwanan continents. The applicants are uniquely qualified to carry outthis research, having the necessary sedimentological and geochemical skills and experience, acombined twenty years research experience in the field area, and a considerable inventory ofrelevant, preliminary data.Intellectual MeritThe proposed research will contribute to a developing global re-evaluationof the late Paleozoic iaicehouselo period, and as such will have relevance and significance to abroad range of geoscientists. It is anticipated that the results from this work will, among otheroutcomes, contribute to increasingly sophisticated numerical models of past climates which arenow being used iteratively to provide estimates of rates and magnitudes of climate changethrough geologic time. Broader ImpactsBecause participation in scientific research plays a strong, positive role inguiding student perceptions of career opportunities in science, both undergraduate and graduatestudents will be included in research activities. Students will be involved in data gathering andinterpretation, and will be encouraged to publish outcomes and participate in professionalmeetings. Students from groups traditionally under-represented in the geosciences will betargeted for participation. The PIs will work with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Office ofTrio Programs to identify students from these groups. Results of the proposed research will beincorporated into education activities, presented at professional meetings, and published in peer-reviewed journals. The benefits to society, though indirect, are certainly tangible in thecontribution made to input parameters for numerical models of climate change.