Expanding the potential of trace fossil analysis for practical applications

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Ichnology is the study of the fossilized tracks and burrows (aka "trace fossils") of animals. Ichnology has become an important part of sedimentary rock description as it greatly helps in determining the environment of deposition of sedimentary rocks. Ichnological practitioners rely heavily on interpretations from the fossil record, so the science benefits greatly from characterization of modern burrows (aka "traces"). Outlined is a proposal to engage in a two fold, interrelated research program that will: (1) investigate the burrowing behaviors, and behavioral responses to variable sedimentary and geochemical processes; and, (2) characterize the geochemistry associated with the burrowing activities of modern marine invertebrates and associate that geochemistry with trace fossil occurrences in the rock record. The research will build on several years of successful research and has the specific aims of improving interpretations (depositional history and burial history) of trace-fossil occurrences in the rock record, and applying the findings to fundamental issues such as interpreting sedimentary deposits, assisting in the identification and delineation of reservoir quality rocks and characterizing biogenic fabrics in reservoir rocks. Specific outcomes of the research will include a new framework for identifying and classifying animal response to depositional variables so that non-ichnologists can draw detailed interpretations from the rock record (particularly important for industry practitioners) and a systematic approach to linking modern burrow geochemistry to ichnofossils so that chemical aspects of the sedimentary environment (and subsequent diagenetic processes) can be identified from the rock record. The program is designed to engage graduate and undergraduate students in every phase of the research to optimize the amount of knowledge dissemination and to produce several highly qualified personnel.