This project will be focused on past climate and paleoceanographic dynamics with special emphasis on the analysis of Coccolithophore structure assemblages. coccolithophores are single-celled marine algae, belonging to the division of HAPTOPHYTES and living in the photic zone (0-200 m of depth). They are the principal component of phytoplankton. Their cell is covered by microscopic calcite skeletal plates (2-25µm), that protect the cell, named coccoliths. At the cell death coccoliths are the only elements able to fossilize, forming chalk and limestone deposit. From the analysis of their remains, preserved in the rocks, it is possible to reconstruct the main features of past climate.

The project proposal intends to begin students to use micropaleontological and sedimentological proxies in reconstructing the past climate changes; the project also includes illustrative lab sessions on core sampling and preparation techniques. The student will be introduced to Coccolithophores taxonomy and terminology of main extant and fossil coccolithophores (calcareous nannofossils) taxa and their counting methods. Students will acquire knowledge about climate forcing and main statistic analysis on microfossils data and their paleoclimatic and paleoceanographic applications; they will be able to evaluate the useful analytical approach to solve problems concerning the paleoclimatic and paleoceanographic reconstructions.

The student/s will be jointly supervised by prof. F. Ornella Amore, who has been working on Coccolithophore assemblages and their role in paleoclimate reconstructions for years, and dott. Carmen Argenio, who is working on coccolithophores assemblages of site drilled during IODP Expedition 339, Site U1385 in the Atlantic Ocean.