GeoResources - Biostratigraphy and Organic Content

is a powerful stratigraphic tool, providing high resolution stratigraphic frameworks throughout all earth history. Palynomorphs cover a wide range of depositional settings - deep marine to near-shore and terrestrial - and can be used in surface and sub-surface samples. Generally translucent microscopy is applied, in the case of very high maturation Infrared Microscopy is used. Palynostratigraphic analysis is based on the most recent global to regional correlation schemes.

provides different proxies to be used as additional stratigraphic tools (event stratigraphy). Palynofacies data are part of the integrated sequence stratigraphic interpretation and the the final integrated basin modeling.

analyses the composition and the state of preservation of all organic matter in the source rocks, which is linked directly to the potential and type of hydrocarbons. HC prospectivity is estimated by the quantity of organic matter (TOC) and kerogen type classification based on optical methods (translucent light and fluorescence microscopy).

is studied by palynomorph colour indices (SCI, acritarch colour) and virtrinite reflectance.  Integration and cross-calibration of both methods improves the confidence level of maturation data and palaeotemperatures for the palaeothermal history of basins used for HC system analysis. The combination with thermochronological data provides models of the temporal development of palaeotemperatures in basins.