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-  Florence Bascom Geoscience Center 

#           Palynology Laboratory              

      By Florence Bascom Geoscience Center

## Paleoclimate Pollen Research

### Florence Bascom Geoscience Center

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In this lab, we specialize in extracting pollen palynomorphs from geologic field samples. We also assist our center's scientists with outreach programs to educate students and inform policy makers as to the importance of our science. 

**In the Field**

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Core collecting is often strenuous and time consuming, requiring a small team to perform the work successfully and in a timely manner. Our lab technicians and student interns often assist in the field to collect sediment core samples, using a variety of field gear and coring equipment, depending on the depositional environment and the type of information researchers after. Types of coring equipment we commonly use include Russian corers and vibracorers. Each core is measured, photographed and described in our field log for later reference. Finally, each core section is carefully wrapped to prevent contamination and for safe transportation to our lab.

 

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**In the Lab**

Once the cores are delivered to the lab, they are cataloged, cleaned, photographed, and cut into 1-cm intervals. These are then weighed, dried, and subsampled for pollen processing.

Pollen and spores, two types of palynomorphs, are very resilient and resistant to decay under anaerobic conditions. For this reason, field samples are treated with a variety of chemicals that include acids and bases, heating, and ultrasonic treatments. These treatments tend to release and concentrate a sample's palynomorphs in addition to removing the genetic material contained within each pollen grain. The samples are then sieved, swirled, stained and the resultant polynomorph residue is mounted onto slides. The slides are passed on to the scientists while any remaining residue is placed into glass vials and stored for future use.

 

*Please note: we are not a fee-for-service laboratory, but we welcome new collaborations with academic and other institutions.*

 

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                  -              Publications           

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March 1, 2020

#### Pollen Laboratory Research at the FBGC (AD)

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March 1, 2020

#### Pollen Laboratory Research at the FBGC (AD)

link

#### Pollen Laboratory Research at the FBGC (AD)

link

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Core Science Systems Mission Area, Ecosystems Mission Area, Florence Bascom Geoscience Center

Pollen Lab, FBGC

June 27, 2017

#### Pollen Lab, FBGC

link

Tom Sheehan, a lab technician at the Florence Bascom Geoscience Center, swirls a sample in a watch glass to assist in separating pollen from heavier mineral material.

Florence Bascom Geoscience Center, Palynology Lab

June 27, 2017

#### Pollen Lab, FBGC

link

#### Pollen Lab, FBGC

link

Tom Sheehan, a lab technician at the Florence Bascom Geoscience Center, swirls a sample in a watch glass to assist in separating pollen from heavier mineral material.

Florence Bascom Geoscience Center, Palynology Lab

January 1, 2015

####                 Pollen and spores of terrestrial plants              

Florence Bascom Geoscience Center

January 1, 2004

####                 Atlas of pollen and spores of the Florida Everglades              

Ecosystems Mission Area, Climate Adaptation Science Centers, Florence Bascom Geoscience Center

## Related Content

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ByCore Science Systems Mission Area, Ecosystems Mission Area, Florence Bascom Geoscience CenterMarch 1, 2020Pollen Laboratory Research at the FBGClinkPollen Laboratory Research at the FBGClink
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Tom Sheehan, a lab technician at the Florence Bascom Geoscience Center, swirls a sample in a watch glass to assist in separating pollen from heavier mineral material.
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Tom Sheehan, a lab technician at the Florence Bascom Geoscience Center, swirls a sample in a watch glass to assist in separating pollen from heavier mineral material.
ByFlorence Bascom Geoscience Center, Palynology Lab 
                  - Publications  LabelJanuary 1, 2015                Pollen and spores of terrestrial plants              Pollen and spores are valuable tools in reconstructing past sea level and climate because of their ubiquity, abundance, and durability as well as their reciprocity with source vegetation to environmental change (Cronin, 1999; Traverse, 2007; Willard and Bernhardt, 2011). Pollan is found in many sedimentary environments, from freshwater to saltwater, terrestrial to marine. It can be abundant in a mAuthorsChristopher E. Bernhardt, Debra A. WillardByFlorence Bascom Geoscience CenterJanuary 1, 2004                Atlas of pollen and spores of the Florida Everglades              An illustrated, descriptive atlas of pollen and spores from wetland plants of the Florida Everglades was compiled to facilitate identification of dispersed palynomorphs in sediments. The atlas includes 121 wetland species characteristic of eleven plant associations of the Florida Everglades including sloughs, sawgrass marshes, tree islands, wet prairies, cypress domes, mangrove forests, salt marshAuthorsDebra A. Willard, Christopher E. Bernhardt, Lisa M. Weimer, S. R. Cooper, Desire Gamez, Jennifer JensenByEcosystems Mission Area, Climate Adaptation Science Centers, Florence Bascom Geoscience Center 

### Contacts

#### Debra A Willard, Ph.D.

##### Research Geologist

Florence Bascom Geoscience Center

dwillard@usgs.gov

703-648-5320

#### Miriam Jones, Ph.D.

##### Research Geologist

Florence Bascom Geoscience Center

miriamjones@usgs.gov

703-648-6936

#### Diana Carriker

##### Physical Science Technician

Florence Bascom Geoscience Center

dcarriker@usgs.gov

703-648-6967

#### Martina T Bixler

##### Physical Science Technician

Florence Bascom Geoscience Center

mbixler@usgs.gov

703-648-6945

#### Bryan Landacre

##### Physical Science Technician

Florence Bascom Geoscience Center

blandacre@usgs.gov

703-648-6085

#### Jonathan W Johnson

##### Geologist

Florence Bascom Geoscience Center

jwjohnson@usgs.gov

703-648-5485

####             Thomas P Sheehan (Former Employee)          

##### Physical Science Technician (Retired)

Florence Bascom Geoscience Center