Stratigraphic Paleobiology of Marine Quaternary Successions of Po Plain, Italy

意大利波平原海洋第四纪地层古生物学

• 批准号: 0920075
• 负责人: Michal Kowalewski
• 金额: $ 22.76万
• 依托单位: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2009
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2009-08-01 至 2013-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0920075&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Stratigraphic; Paleobiology; Marine; Quaternary; Successions

Stratigraphic Paleobiology of Marine Quaternary Successions of Po Plain, ItalyPI: Michal Kowalewski (Department of Geosciences, Virginia Tech) This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). Quantitative integration of stratigraphic and paleontological data derived from sedimentary rocks can enhance informative value of both the geological and fossil records. This approach will be applied to the depositional system (sedimentary basin) of the Po Plain Delta, Italy. The goals include (1) assessments of stratigraphic biases that may affect quantitative data based on fossils; (2) numerical calibrations of the regional sequence stratigraphic model; and (3) reconstructions of eco-environmental changes during high-frequency sea-level fluctuations that shaped the recent geological history of this culturally and economically important region. To achieve those goals, Quaternary marine successions of the Po Plain, which contain abundant fossil mollusks, will be sampled to quantify commonly studied paleontological patterns (e.g., diversity, body size, etc.). The resulting data, based on numerous samples from multiple cores, will be integrated with the regional sequence-stratigraphic model, bathymetric surveys of present-day Mediterranean mollusk populations, and high-resolution geochronology (radiocarbon-calibrated amino-acid racemization dating). The intellectual novelty of the project resides in data-intense integration of paleoecology, sequence stratigraphy, and geochronology, which should produce a time-controlled 3D reconstruction of eco-environmental and depositional histories of the Po Plain basin. In terms of broader impacts, research efforts will be interfaced with educational and outreach activities at multiple levels. At the graduate level, a Ph.D. student will be trained in integrating disparate data and developing transferable skills in geological and statistical methods. At the undergraduate and K-12 levels, a new interactive educational exhibit (evolved from research activities) will be developed at the Virginia Tech Museum of Geosciences, an outreach/education outlet of rural Appalachia. The exhibit will make the process of multifaceted quantitative research and discovery accessible to K-12 students, science teachers, and the general public. The exhibit-based lab exercises for undergraduate college courses in paleontology and historical geology will also be developed. In addition, with assistance from the on-campus Department of Multicultural Programs and Services, undergraduates from underrepresented groups will be recruited as paid interns in order to participate in the exhibit development and to establish competitive professional portfolios. Finally, the project will involve long-term international interactions between Virginia Tech and University of Bologna. The participating researcher and students will benefit from international collaborations, thus gaining a broader perspective on scientific and societal issues. The project will offer logistic and intellectual support to 1 graduate student and up to 3 undergraduate interns. Senior personnel will include a museum outreach coordinator.

意大利波平原海洋第四纪地层古生物学 PI：Michal Kowalewski（弗吉尼亚理工大学地球科学系） 该奖项由 2009 年美国复苏和再投资法案（公法 111-5）资助。 来自沉积岩的地层和古生物学数据的定量整合可以提高地质和化石记录的信息价值。该方法将应用于意大利波河平原三角洲的沉积系统（沉积盆地）。目标包括（1）评估可能影响基于化石的定量数据的地层偏差； (2)区域层序地层模型数值标定； (3) 重建高频海平面波动期间的生态环境变化，这些变化塑造了这个文化和经济重要地区的近期地质历史。为了实现这些目标，将对含有丰富软体动物化石的波河平原第四纪海洋演替进行采样，以量化普遍研究的古生物模式（例如多样性、体型等）。所得数据基于来自多个岩心的大量样本，将与区域层序地层模型、当今地中海软体动物种群的测深调查以及高分辨率地质年代学（放射性碳校准的氨基酸外消旋测年）相结合。该项目的新颖性在于古生态学、层序地层学和地质年代学的数据密集集成，这应该对波河平原盆地的生态环境和沉积历史进行时间控制的 3D 重建。就更广泛的影响而言，研究工作将与多个层面的教育和推广活动相结合。在研究生阶段，博士学位。学生将接受整合不同数据和发展地质和统计方法可转移技能的培训。在本科生和 K-12 年级，一个新的互动教育展览（由研究活动演变而来）将在弗吉尼亚理工大学地球科学博物馆（阿巴拉契亚乡村的一个外展/教育机构）举办。该展览将使 K-12 学生、科学教师和公众了解多方面的定量研究和发现过程。还将开发古生物学和历史地质学本科大学课程的基于展览的实验室练习。此外，在校内多元文化项目和服务部的协助下，来自弱势群体的本科生将被招募为带薪实习生，以参与展览开发并建立有竞争力的专业组合。最后，该项目将涉及弗吉尼亚理工大学和博洛尼亚大学之间的长期国际互动。参与的研究人员和学生将从国际合作中受益，从而获得对科学和社会问题更广泛的视角。该项目将为 1 名研究生和最多 3 名本科生实习生提供后勤和智力支持。 Senior personnel will include a museum outreach coordinator.