Regions: North Slave Region
Tags: physical sciences, paleontology, banded iron formation
| Principal Investigator: | Aubet, Natalie (2) |
| Licence Number: | 14776 |
| Organization: | University of Alberta (Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences) |
| Licensed Year(s): |
2011
2010
|
| Issued: | Aug 04, 2010 |
| Project Team: | Kurt Konhauser, Ernesto Pecoits |
Objective(s): To better resolve the climatic and oceanic chemical conditions that ultimately led to the origins of animal life by focusing on the exceptionally well-preserved ancient banded iron formations from the Rapitan Group (NWT, Canada) and the overlying carbonate units.
Project Description: The research purpose is intended to better resolve the climatic and oceanic chemical conditions that ultimately led to the origins of animal life and the Cambrian explosion by focusing on the exceptionally well-preserved ancient banded iron formations from the Rapitan Group (NWT, Canada) and the overlying carbonate units. Specifically, detailed analyses of these rocks will help in the understanding of: (1) the role of deep-sea oxygenation; (2) bioessential major and trace element availability; (4) effects on the biosphere imposed by severe climatic fluctuations; (5) establishing the precise age of deposition; (6) correlation of the succession with other sequences and major paleoclimatic events worldwide (ice-house and green-house conditions) The initial stage of this multifaceted work requires a strong field based research, including mapping, construction of detailed cross-sections and collection of samples. This will provide a precise idea of the geological setting and palaeoenvironmental conditions at the time of deposition. The researchers will seek opportunities to inform the community about the research project. In this regard, reports about dataset and analysis interpretation will be timely presented in order to maximize the community knowledge about goals and results. In addition, attendance to workshops in local community learning centers will provide the opportunity to interact with the people and give educational training. Poster and oral presentations will be conducted at the Yellowknife Geoscience Forum. The researchers will provide updates on research findings disseminated through NWT Geoscience Office Outreach geologists, and published results will be provided to Aurora Research Institute. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from August 25, 2010 to September 2, 2010.
