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Using Ostracode Dynamics to Track Ecosystem Response to Climatically and Tectonically Induced Lake-Level Fluctuations in Fossil Basin, Green River Basin, Wyoming, USA

McFarland, Andrew J.

Abstract Details

2012, Master of Science, University of Akron, Geology-Environmental Geology.
The Eocene Green River Formation (USA) contains one of the best known Konservat Lagerstätte in the fossil record. Whereas there have been many studies performed on the vertebrate fauna, particularly the fish, there have been relatively few studies done on the invertebrate fauna such as the ostracodes from this famous fossil deposit. Two species (Candona pagei and Hemicyprinotis watsonensis) were recovered from 16 intervals and three study sites from Fossil Basin, a sub-basin of the Greater Green River Basin. The two species represent differing ecological tolerances, both mud-dwelling and plant-dwelling. This formed the basis for a reconstruction of lake levels throughout the history of Fossil Lake. This in turn can be used to examine biotic response to climate change during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM). Stratigraphic sections were measured at three sites and sampled for ostracodes. A 1 cm x 1 cm grid was used to quantify the number of ostracode valves in each sample. Lamination counts were also performed on samples collected in Smith Hollow Quarry (SHQ), which yielded the number of laminations per millimeter. This was compared throughout the section to assess how it changed throughout Fossil Lake's history at SHQ. Taphonomic uniformity was quantified by comparing the number of whole valves in the samples of kerogen-poor versus kerogen-rich laminated micrites (kerogen-rich micrites are thought to have been deposited under deep, anoxic water conditions), and then compared to each other. Frequencies of occurrence and abundances of individuals per bed were also compared between the two types of micrites. The trophic structure of the lake was also assembled to attempt a better understanding of the community ecology of Fossil Lake. This study demonstrates the utility of ostracode species assemblages in tracking lake-level fluctuations throughout the history of Fossil Lake during a time of climate change. This has important implications and applications for studies of current climate change.
Lisa Park, Dr. (Advisor)
John Szabo, Dr. (Committee Member)
Francisco Moore, Dr. (Committee Member)
66 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • McFarland, A. J. (2012). Using Ostracode Dynamics to Track Ecosystem Response to Climatically and Tectonically Induced Lake-Level Fluctuations in Fossil Basin, Green River Basin, Wyoming, USA [Master's thesis, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1348242706

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • McFarland, Andrew. Using Ostracode Dynamics to Track Ecosystem Response to Climatically and Tectonically Induced Lake-Level Fluctuations in Fossil Basin, Green River Basin, Wyoming, USA. 2012. University of Akron, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1348242706.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • McFarland, Andrew. "Using Ostracode Dynamics to Track Ecosystem Response to Climatically and Tectonically Induced Lake-Level Fluctuations in Fossil Basin, Green River Basin, Wyoming, USA." Master's thesis, University of Akron, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1348242706

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)