Paleoclimate Research

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Paleoclimate research has many components with different type of samples utilized to decipher past environmental changes.  It is a diverse discipline with major two working areas at NCPOR: [a.] Ocean sediment samples [b.] Lake samples from polar regions

 

The climate change studies have drawn the attention of scientific community and common man alike. Natural climate change has been affecting all components of the earth system at all timescales throughout the history of the earth. With the advent of industrial revolution, there has been an increase in fossil fuel consumption which has led to the rapid rise in greenhouse gases in atmosphere, leading to rise in global temperatures and the corresponding response of ice/glaciers. Geologically and historically there have been periods in earth’s history when greenhouse gases were even more abundant with temperatures and sea level much higher than today.

 

The climate in turn affects the biotic response. These biotic responses often get preserved in sediments and it is for the paleoclimatologists to analyse, quantify,document and decipher the past changes.

 

  •  Different microfossil groups being analysed by the paleoclimate group includes
  1. DIATOMS
  2. COCCOLITHOPHORES   
  3. FORAMINIFERA   
  4. AIR-SEA GAS EXCHANGE OF CO2 AND IMPACTS ON BIOTA