Stratigraphic Paleobiology of Marine Quaternary Successions of Po Plain, Italy

意大利Po Plain海洋第四纪层序的地层古生物学PI：Michal Kosalewski(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(公共法律111-5)资助。从沉积岩中提取的地层和古生物数据的定量整合可以提高地质和化石记录的信息价值。这种方法将应用于意大利Po平原三角洲的沉积体系(沉积盆地)。目标包括：(1)评估可能影响以化石为基础的定量数据的地层偏差；(2)区域层序地层模型的数值校准；(3)重建影响这一文化和经济重要区域近期地质历史的高频海平面波动期间的生态环境变化。为达致这些目标，当局将会抽取包括大量软体动物化石在内的埔平原第四纪海相样本，以量化通常研究的古生物模式(例如多样性、体型等)。所产生的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、对当今地中海软体动物种群的水深测量和高分辨率地质年代学(放射性碳校准的氨基酸外消旋年代测定)相结合。该项目的智力创新之处在于古生态、层序地层学和地质年代学的数据密集集成，这应该会产生对Po平原盆地的生态环境和沉积历史的时间控制的3D重建。在更广泛的影响方面，研究工作将与多个层面的教育和外联活动相结合。在研究生阶段，博士生将接受整合不同数据的培训，并发展地质和统计方法的可移植技能。在本科生和K-12年级，将在弗吉尼亚理工大学地球科学博物馆开发一个新的互动教育展览(从研究活动演变而来)，这是阿巴拉契亚农村的推广/教育渠道。展览将使K-12学生、科学教师和普通公众能够接触到多方面的量化研究和发现的过程。还将开发古生物学和历史地质学本科大学课程的展示性实验室练习。此外，在校园多元文化方案和服务部的协助下，来自代表性不足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具有竞争力的专业投资组合。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，从而在科学和社会问题上获得更广阔的视角。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。高级人员将包括一名博物馆外联协调员。

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.