Micropalaeontology research
Micropalaeontologists at the Natural History Museum study microfossils such as the coccolith, foram and dinoflagellate cyst shown above from left to right.
The Natural History Museum has a long tradition of micropalaeontological research, supported by superb facilities and staff with extensive microfossil expertise.
What is micropalaeontology?
Micropalaeontology is the study of microfossils, such as ostracods, foraminifera, coccoliths and plant pollen.
Since microfossils can be predictably recovered from even very small samples of sedimentary rock, micropalaeontology is a core discipline within modern academic and industrial geology.
Important uses of microfossils
The biostratigraphic dating of drilling core samples for both the hydrocarbon industry and academia is based primarily on microfossils.
In addition, analysing the geochemical composition and assemblages of microfossils provides a wide range of data useful for palaeoceanography and climate change research.
Micropalaeontology research and facilities at the Museum
Palaeontology Department research scientists, curators and scientific associates carry out research relating to:
- palynology
- coccolithophores
- calcareous microfossils
- conodonts
Complementary research on fossil diatoms is carried out in the Botany Department.
Our work is supported by a range of excellent facilities:
- very large collections of microfossils and microfossil residues
- specialist laboratories for preparing organic and calcareous microfossils
- unique library facilities
- outstanding imaging facilities:
- dedicated light microscopes
- digital imaging facilities
- Analysis and Imaging Facility
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Conodont research
Conodont research in the Palaeontology Department has been focusing on Ordovician and Silurian faunas from the Middle East. Learn more about the Museum's work in this area.