Reconstruction of the early Paleozoic paleoenvironment with a focus on the diversity of the microfossil fauna and its use in exhibition and dissemination projects

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17H04581
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 海外学術
• Research Field: Stratigraphy/Paleontology
• Research Institution: University of Tsukuba
• Principal Investigator: Agematsu Sachiko 筑波大学, 生命環境系, 准教授 (50466661)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 丸岡 照幸 筑波大学, 生命環境系, 准教授 (80400646) ; 指田 勝男 筑波大学, 生命環境系, 教授 (60134201)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 生層序 / 古生代 / 炭素同位体 / 硫黄同位体 / ジオパーク

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aims to reconstruct the early Paleozoic paleoenvironment and to share the research results with the public through the Geopark. The results of our research are as follows: 1) Early Ordovician stromatolitic reefs found in southern Thailand contain lithid-sponge reefs, which are important in considering the emergence process of metazoan reefs; 2) In the uppermost Ordovician to lower Silurian strata of Thailand and Malaysia, carbon and sulfur isotope values indicate the onset and decline of anoxic environments, in addition to lithologic data and carbon isotopic values that indicate an end-Ordovician sea-level fall; 3) In order to return these results to the Geopark project, it is important not only to communicate closely with local officials, but also to introduce and encourage research to students and young researchers.

Free Research Field

古生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究で得られた成果は、古生代前半の海洋環境復元に新たなデータを加えるものである。特にオルドビス紀からシルル紀にかけて生じた貧酸素環境の詳細を明らかにすることは、生物の大量絶滅事件を引き起こした環境変動の解明に繋がると考えられる。またこれらの結果をジオパークの展示・普及事業に活用してもらうことで、地元活性化に貢献できた。