Foraminifera and their Applications

In a one-stop resource, this book provides a state-of-the-art overview of all aspects of pure and applied forams studies. Building from introductory chapters on the history of foraminiferal research, and research methods, the book then takes the reader through biology, ecology, palaeoecology, biostratigraphy and sequence stratigraphy. This is followed by key chapters detailing practical applications of forams in petroleum geology, mineral geology, engineering geology, environmental science and archaeology. All applications are fully supported by numerous case studies selected from around the world, providing a wealth of real-world data. The book also combines lavish illustrations, including over seventy stunning original picture-diagrams of foraminifera, with comprehensive references for further reading, and online data tables providing additional information on hundreds of foram families and species. Accessible and practical, this is a vital resource for graduate students, academic micropalaeontologists and professionals across all disciplines and industry settings which make use of foram studies.

Preface; Acknowledgements; 1. Past, present and future foraminiferal research; 2. Research methods; 3. Biology, morphology and classification; 4. Ecology; 5. Palaeobiology, palaeoecology or palaeoenvironmental interpretation; 6. Palaeobiological or evolutionary history of the foraminifera; 7. Biostratigraphy; 8. Sequence stratigraphy; 9. Applications and case studies in petroleum geology; 10. Applications and case studies in mineral geology; 11. Applications and case studies in engineering geology; 12. Applications and case studies in environmental science; 13. Applications and case studies in archaeology; References; Index.

Robert Wynn Jones has 30 years' experience working as a foraminiferal micropalaeontologist and biostratigrapher in the oil industry, from gaining his PhD in 1982, until his recent retirement from BG Group PLC. Throughout his career, he also maintained an active interest in academic research, producing over 100 publications, which include seven books, among them Applied Palaeontology (Cambridge University Press, 2006) and Applications in Palaeontology: Techniques and Case Studies (Cambridge University Press, 2011). Dr Jones is also the author of a book on the history of London and is an Honorary Scientific Associate of the Natural History Museum in London.