The
BGS Biostratigraphy Laboratories are part of a broader capability
in palaeontology in BGS, which also includes extensive collections
of macrofossils and microfossils. Our two laboratories constitute
essential sample preparation facilities in palynology and micropalaeontology.
The current laboratories moved to a new location at Keyworth in 2003,
but before then palynological and micropalaeontological preparation
facilities were operational in Keyworth and at other sites for more
than 40 years. In that time, more than 250,000 palynological and
micropalaeontological samples have passed through the laboratories.
Many of them are from the U.K., a significant proportion is from
overseas, and the majority are well located, both geographically
and stratigraphically.
Many
of the samples prepared in the BGS Biostratigraphy Laboratories have
served the national capability needs of the Geological Survey by
providing evidence for the age and correlation of sedimentary successions
to assist mapping. This remains an important role for biostratigraphers
and for the sample preparation facilities that underpin their work,
but increasingly that role has diversified into other research areas.
Areas of work that the laboratories have contributed to recently
include:
- Hydrocarbons exploration and development
- Building and civil engineering works
- Forensic geoscience
- Geoarchaeology
- Climate change and biodiversity
- Geohazard assessment
Clients and collaborators include national and international oil and gas companies, building and environmental engineering consultancies, university researchers and the British Antarctic Survey.
For further information, please contact:
Stewart
Molyneux or Ian
Wilkinson
Biostratigraphy
British Geological Survey
Keyworth
Nottingham NG12 5GG
Tel: 0115 936 3430 or 0115 936 3409
