Micropaleontology Laboratory
The Micropaleontology Laboratory provides facilities to extract calcareous microfossils from geoscience samples. These tiny fossils are identified by our micropaleontologists and are used to give insight into past climate, and marine environments and ecosystems.
The work undertaken in this lab links closely with the objectives of the Macropaleontology/Sedimentology Laboratory, the National Paleontology Collection and the Micropaleontology Reference Centre, as well as contributing to many other science areas across GNS.
Our Expertise
We provide facilities, equipment and expertise for the preparation and description of calcareous microfossils, specifically foraminifera and nannofossils. Our lab also provides suitable space for the description and sub-sampling of sedimentary cores.
Our Equipment
Our lab is equipped with a large, portable, petrol rock-cutting saw, manual rock crusher, hotplates, UV lamp, sieves of various sizes for microfossil sample processing and grainsize analysis, metal pans and an oven for drying samples, a binocular microscope for microfossil examination, and an ultrasonic bath for microfossil cleaning. As needed, additional equipment, such a hand-held XRF analyser, can be brought in for specific projects.
Our Clients
The lab supports the work of a wide range of researchers and contributes to science areas across GNS. In particular, the lab contributes to the work of the Nationally Significant Collections and Databases programme, Environment and Climate, Understanding Te Riu-a-Māui / Zealandia and projects aimed at understanding past natural hazard events.
The lab is available to both internal researchers and external collaborators and university students. The space may be used for teaching and outreach initiatives. Additionally, GNS Science personnel use the lab for commercial contract work.
Our Location
We are located in the Fleming Centre building at the Avalon campus of GNS Science, Lower Hutt
Our Team
Is led by Lab Manager, Henry Gard.
