Ichnology and Sedimentology of Glaucony Greensands: Paleoenvironmental, Sequence Stratigraphic and Paleoclimatic Implications

标题：海绿石绿砂的遗迹学和沉积学：古环境、层序地层学和古气候含义。犹他州埃克代尔大学-1052661摘要这是一个研究地质柱不同部分中含化石的绿砂沉积物痕迹的项目，目的是解释绿色海洋沉积物的意义（“古生物学”）在古生态学、遗迹学、沉积学和古环境方面的重要性，以及对海平面动力学、古气候、矿物自生、海底地球化学和层序地层学。该项目将采用实地观察和实验室分析。该方法将是一种不寻常的耦合遗迹学与沉积矿物学，通过检查痕迹化石组合和遗迹组构（生物沉积组构）的动态沉积学和海底地球化学环境，促进了形成的绿泥（绿泥和其他绿色海洋粘土矿物）。 这项研究的主要科学目标包括：（a）确定寒武纪至第三纪绿砂产出范围内绿色海洋颗粒的精确矿物学;（B）确定每个研究地点的层内和层面上的相关遗迹化石和特征遗迹组构和遗迹相;（c）详细说明层内和准层序内绿砂相的遗迹化石、遗迹组构和沉积物类型的垂直变化;（d）综合地质柱各部分绿砂不同相内的遗迹学和沉积学观察结果;（e）从层序地层学和海平面动力学的角度解释研究结果，特别是与被动边缘凝缩段有关的研究结果;以及（f）澄清过去可能形成海蚀锥的古气候状况。为了调查一系列的绿砂产状，并试图从矿物学、沉积学和遗迹学方面辨别一些常见的沉积物，本项目将调查犹他州、怀俄明州、得克萨斯州、亚拉巴马、威斯康星州和西班牙东部的各种研究地点。研究生研究助理和本科生研究助理将协助PI。无论是现场工作还是实验室工作。

Title: Ichnology and Sedimentology of Glaucony Greensands: Paleoenvironmental, Sequence Stratigraphic and Paleoclimatic ImplicationsAllan A. EkdaleUniversity of UtahEAR-1052661ABSTRACT This is a project to investigate trace fossil-bearing greensand deposits in different parts of the geologic column in order to interpret the significance of green marine sedimentary deposits ("glaucony") in terms of paleoecology, ichnology, sedimentology, and paleoenvironments, with the potential implications for sea level dynamics, paleoclimates, mineral authigenesis, sea floor geochemistry and sequence stratigraphy. The project will employ both field observations and laboratory analyses. The approach will be an unusual coupling of ichnology with sedimentary mineralogy by examining trace fossil associations and ichnofabrics (biogenic sedimentary fabrics) in relation to the dynamic sedimentologic and sea floor geochemical environment that promoted the formation of glaucony (glauconite and other green marine clay minerals). The principal scientific objectives of this research include the following: (a) to determine the precise mineralogy of the green marine grains in a spectrum of greensand occurrences of Cambrian through Tertiary age; (b) to identify the associated trace fossils and characteristic ichnofabrics and ichnofacies within beds and on bedding surfaces at each study site; (c) to detail the vertical changes in trace fossils, ichnofabrics and sediment types in the greensand facies within beds and within parasequences; (d) to integrate ichnologic and sedimentologic observations within the different facies of greensands from various parts of the geologic column; (e) to interpret the findings in the context of sequence stratigraphy and sea level dynamics, specifically in relation to passive-margin condensed sections; and (f) to clarify the paleoclimate regime(s) in which glaucony may have formed in the past. In order to investigate a broad spectrum of greensand occurrences and attempt to discern some common denominators about their mineralogy, sedimentology and ichnology, a variety of study sites in Utah, Wyoming, Texas, Alabama Wisconsin and eastern Spain will be investigated in this project. A graduate research assistant and undergraduate research assistant will assist the P.I. in both field work and lab work.