Quantitative palynological analyses of Albian-Cenomanian (Lower to Upper Cretaceous) strata in the Sverdrup Basin: Insights into paleoecology, paleoclimatology and palynostratigraphy

Multivariate statistical analyses of terrestrial palynomorphs from Albian to Cenomanian (Lower to Upper Cretaceous), Sverdrup Basin strata reveal a landscape with wet lowlands inhabited by Pteridophytina and Bryophyta, with cooler, moist uplands inhabited by a variety of conifer plants. A humid and temperate climate prevailed at this time. Three sites from eastern Sverdrup Basin contain similar palynofloras with long-ranging taxa, but quantitative palynological analyses reveal important differences in relative abundances between localities. A total of eleven early angiosperm pollen were recovered, providing further evidence of a delay in the dispersal and diversification of angiosperms into the Sverdrup Basin relative to more southern locations. This latitudinal diachroneity may potentially be due to paleogeographic barriers, such as, the Arctic Ocean, the extent of the Western Interior Seaway, or due to limited insect pollination dispersal strategies.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MSc)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Geoscience

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Graduate Studies

Year dc:date.issued

2015

Author dc:creator

• Sulphur, Kyle

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Krause, Federico
• Galloway, Jennifer

• Geology
• Paleoecology
• Palynology

Statement dc:rights

• University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.

Language dc:language.iso

eng

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/27507

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ucalgary.scholaris.ca:11023/2118