In a single volume, the authors bring together a review of current biological understanding of planktonic foraminifera and apply it to developments in sedimentology. With the growing interest in the shells of this class of protozoa as indicators of the history of the earth, revealed through the sedimentary record, a comprehensive analysis of the biology of contemporary foraminifera has become necessary. Main topics covered include Taxonomy, Collecting and Culture Methods, Cellular Ultrastructure, Host and Symbiont Relationships, Trophic Activity and Nutrition, Reproduction, Shell Ontogeny and Architecture, Ecology and Sedimentation and Settlement of Shells.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the taxonomy, biology, sedimentation, and carbonate geochemistry of modern species. Students, early career and advanced scientists alike will profit from a broad synthesis of the current understanding of planktic foraminifers as an ecological indicator, biogeochemical factories, and proxies in paleoceanography. The classification of modern species is amply illustrated with electron and light microscope images of morphotypes, addresses the state-of-the-art of molecular genetics of species, and provides a detailed guide for any laboratory analyses. The biology of planktic foraminifers is extensively discussed in chapters dedicated to the cellular ultrastructure, nutrition, symbionts, reproduction, ontogeny, and test architecture. Building on the biological prerequisites, the distribution of planktic foraminifers is discussed at regional to global scale. The geochemistry and sedimentation of tests are considered in relation to the ecology of the living animal. In the final chapter, which examines the most common methods in planktic foraminifer research, hands-on information is provided on sampling, processing and analyzing samples in the laboratory, as well as selected established methods for data interpretation. The various topics discussed in this book are aimed at the application of planktic foraminifers as sensitive indicators of the changing climate and marine environment.

From the reviews: "This is now the definitive, authoritative text on applied foraminiferal micropaleontology and should be in the library of all practicing micropaleontologists." (William A. Berggren, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Micropaleontology, 47:1 (2001)"During the last 20 years there has been an explosion of publications about foraminifera from an amazing variety of disciplines: basic cell biology, algal symbiosis, biomineralization, biogeography, ecology, pollution, chemical oceanography, geochemistry, paleoceanography, and geology. This book summarizes contributions by leading researchers in these diverse fields. It is not just another text on the biology of foraminifera. Rather, Barun Sen Gupta has accomplished his objective to "write an advanced text for university students that would also serve as a reference book for professionals"." (Howard J. Spero, University of California at Davis in Limnology and Oceanography, 45:8 (2000).

The role of fossil planktonic foraminifera as markers for biostratigraphical zonation and correlation underpins most drilling of marine sedimentary sequences and is key to hydrocarbon exploration. The first - and only - book to synthesise the whole biostratigraphic and geological usefulness of planktonic foraminifera, Biostratigraphic and Geological Significance of Planktonic Foraminifera unifies existing biostratigraphic schemes and provides an improved correlation reflecting regional biogeographies.Renowned micropaleontologist Marcelle K. Boudagher-Fadel presents a comprehensive analysis of existing data on fossil planktonic foraminifera genera and their phylogenetic evolution in time and space. This important text, now in its Second Edition, is in considerable demand and is now being republished by UCL Press.

In a single volume, the authors bring together a review of current biological understanding of planktonic foraminifera and apply it to developments in sedimentology. With the growing interest in the shells of this class of protozoa as indicators of the history of the earth, revealed through the sedimentary record, a comprehensive analysis of the biology of contemporary foraminifera has become necessary. Main topics covered include Taxonomy, Collecting and Culture Methods, Cellular Ultrastructure, Host and Symbiont Relationships, Trophic Activity and Nutrition, Reproduction, Shell Ontogeny and Architecture, Ecology and Sedimentation and Settlement of Shells.

Paleoceanographic proxies provide infonnation for reconstructions of the past, including climate changes, global and regional oceanography, and the cycles of biochemical components in the ocean. These prox ies are measurable descriptors for desired but unobservable environmental variables such as tempera ture, salinity, primary productivity, nutrient content, or surface-water carbon dioxide concentrations. The proxies are employed in a manner analogous to oceanographic methods. The water masses are first characterized according to their specific physical and chemical properties, and then related to particular assemblages of certain organisms or to particular element or isotope distributions. We have a long-standing series of proven proxies available. Marine microfossil assemblages, for instance, are employed to reconstruct surface-water temperatures. The calcareous shells of planktonic and benthic microorgan isms contain a wealth of paleoceanographic information in their isotopic and elemental compositions. Stable oxygen isotope measurements are used to detennine ice volume, and MglCa ratios are related to water temperatures, to cite a few examples. Organic material may also provide valuable infonnation, e. g. , about past productivity conditions. Studying the stable carbon isotope composition of bulk organic matter or individual marine organic components may provide a measure of past surface-water CO 2 conditions within the bounds of certain assumptions. Within the scope of paleoceanographic investigations, the existing proxies are continuously evolving and improving, while new proxies are being studied and developed. The methodology is improved by analysis of samples from the water column and surface sediments, and through laboratory experiments.