Instructors: K. KoulΙ; E. Stathopoulou; E. Fatourou 

SEMESTER: 1st   

LEARNING OUTCOMES 

The course deals with the study of the morphology, taxonomy, biostratigraphy and paleoenvironmental significance of dinoflagellate cysts and green algae.

CONTENT:  

Theoretical content (lectures). 

• Introduction to Palynology, preservation of organic walled microfossils, the palynomorph concept. 

• Introduction to dinoflagellates: biology, life cycle, Taxonomy, geographic distribution/ecology 

• Organic walled dinoflagellate cysts: cyst morphology, biostratigraphy, paleoecology, significance as paleoenvironmental indicators 

• Aquatic organic walled microfossils (achritarchs, chitinozoans, green algae): morphology, ecology/paleoecology, paleoenvironmental and biostratigraphic applications  

• Statistical analysis and interpretation of palynological assemblages, stratigraphic correlations, paleoenvironmental applications (salinity, temperature, paleodepth). 

• Palynofacies analysis: organic matter classification, thermal maturity, kerogene types. Application to hydrocarbon research 

• Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs): dinoflagellate ‘red tides’, biological features, impacts on marine foodwebs. 

 

Β. Practical exercises: 

• Palynological processing laboratory techniques 

• Comprehensive microscope lab sessions  

• Quantitative biostratigraphic methods and data statistical treatment 

• Quantitative environmental reconstructions  

• Biostratigraphic exercises and hands-on applications 

 

BREAKDOWN OF WORKLOAD  

Activity	Semester Workload (hours)
Face to face (in lectures and practical exercises)	39
Using computers, tablets, smartphones and specialized software (in lectures and practical exercises)	10
Practical exercises (laboratory, microscope) Laboratory exercises	39
Questions and Answers	10
Homework – includes preparation for final examinations	27
Total	125

STUDENT EVALUATION/GRADING 

The evaluation process is conducted in English, either with progress in separate sections of the material or with the final examination of the whole material and includes: 

I. LECTURES (50%)  

• Oral Examination and/or 

• Written exam with short answer questions and Multiple choice test and/or 

• Written examination with extended answer questions and/or  

• Scientific presentation in a specific topic related to the subject of the course  

II. PRACTICAL EXERCISES (50%) 

• Written examination with exercises and problem solving 

 

SUGGESTED LITERATURE 

• Traverse A. 2007. Paleopalynology. Springer Ed ISBN 978-1-4020-5609-3 

• Tyson R.V. 1995. Sedimentary Organic Matter: Organic facies and palynofacies. Chapman & Hall. ISBN 978-94-010-4318-2 

• Marret F., O’Keefe J., Shumilovskikh L., Pound M., Osterloff P. 2021. Applications of Non-pollen Palynomorphs: From Palaeoenvironmental Reconstructions to Biostratigraphy. Geological Society. ISBN 978-17-862-0541-4 

• Shumilovskikh L.S., Shumilovskikh E.S., Schlütz F., van Geel B. 2022. NPP-ID – Non-Pollen Palynomorphs Image Database as a research and educational platform. Vegetation History and Archaeobotany, 31, 323-328. DOI: 10.1007/s00334-021-00849-8. https://non-pollen-palynomorphs.uni-goettingen.de/index.html 

 

SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS: 

• Review of Paleobotany and Palynology 

• Palynology 

• Micropaleontology 

• Marine Micropaleontology 

• Revue de Micropaleontologie 

• Palaeogeography Palaeoclimatology Palaeoecology 

 

Website: 

https://eclass.uoa.gr/courses/GEOL650/