Expedition 378: Planktonic foraminiferal biostratigraphy, biogeography and climatic evolution of the Southern Ocean

IODP Expedition 378 will drill for the first time in the middle latitude south-west Pacific ocean. Main aim of the expedition is to recover open ocean sediments suitable for paleoceanographic and paleoclimatic reconstructions dating between 55 to 30 million years ago (Eocene to Oligocene Epochs). During this time interval Earth experienced the highest atmospheric carbon dioxide levels of the last 65 million years, and afterwards a gradual cooling which led to the inception of the Antarctic glaciation (34 million years ago) and of a climate state more similar to the modern. By recovering south-west Pacific sediments we will have a close-up view of the long term, Eocene to early Oligocene, climate evolution in this oceanic area which was, at that time, the widest sub-polar region on Earth.

The researcher, Dr Flavia Boscolo-Galazzo, will sail on Exp 378 as ship-board biostratigrapher specializing in planktonic foraminifera. Her primary duty on board will be to contribute to preliminary assessments of the age of the recovered sediments by analysing their fossil content, essential to continue the drilling operations. In particular, she will study fossil planktonic foraminiferal species, which are a widely employed tool to define the age of ocean sediments.

With the proposed research we aim to refine the age of the sediments provided during the (often hectic) shipboard activity, by analysing a greater number of samples and by performing detailed studies on the morphology (taxonomy) of fossil planktonic foraminifera. This will be essential for any subsequent study aiming at reconstructing the paleoclimate and paleocenography in the drilled region, and to allow comparisons with coeval records from different ocean basins. Further, by analysing a larger number of samples, we will be able to study the influence of climate on planktonic foraminifera evolution through time, and specifically to test whether cooling in this region was accompanied by changes in species composition and in the rate of species origination. This is extremely relevant to assess long term impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems.

The proposed project will have different benefit to different specific users:

The researcher. For Dr Flavia Boscolo Galazzo, participation in IODP Expedition 378 represents her first scientific research cruise and, as such, an excellent opportunity for professional and personal development. During the expedition she will perform biostratigraphic work of key importance for the expedition scientific goals. At the same time, she will work closely with experienced biostratigraphers, as well as within a team of scientists with different complementary skills, such ship-board paleomagnetists. Therefore, participating to Exp 378 will represent a valuable training experience for the researcher, where she will be required to use and up-grade in real time her knowledge to deliver cruise-related scientific outputs. The researcher sees taking part to Exp 378 an opportunity to pursue her own research interests and build scientific independence. IODP Expedition 378 scientific goals fit very well with the researcher's scientific interests, and will represent for her a concrete opportunity to open new and independent research lines based on newly recovered Exp 378 material. The UK IODP moratorium grant will allow the researcher to perform a preliminary investigation of Exp 378 samples and erect a robust biostratigraphic chronology which will, by itself, be a substantial contribution to the scientific outputs of Expedition 378 and is essential for planning subsequent research. The researcher will use her moratorium research as a foundation to apply for scientific fellowships to perform longer term investigations of Exp 378 material.

Participation in Expedition 378 and the receipt of a UK IODP moratorium award will provide the researcher, a female early career scientist, with a great opportunity to foster her scientific independence and promote her career pathway in academia. This is especially important considering the under-representation of women in the science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) workforce. Action to reverse this trend includes increasing the awareness of gender imbalance and gender bias in academia, however, a fundamental shift can only be achieved if a next generation of female academics comes through the ranks. Supporting, for example through mentorship and funding, talented female scientists at the beginning of their academic career is therefore going to have a major impact toward promoting gender balance in the future.

The UK public. Public interest in climate change is at an all-time high but the issues surrounding ecological changes in the ocean, and potential effects on the composition of plankton communities, are poorly known outside of academia. Hence we need to seek innovative and striking ways of reaching the public. Participation in exciting international expeditions via the IODP provide a unique opportunity for creating awareness and interest in climate change in the marine realm. The researcher will commit to take part to the several outreaching activities organised by Cardiff University so to engage the UK public in the scientific and societal relevance of IODP Expeditions and in the importance of studying the marine fossil records to increase our awareness on the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems.

Hydrocarbon Exploration Industry. Hydrocarbon exploration frequently involves biostratigraphic analysis of wells using planktonic foraminifera. Biostratigraphy allows for accurate age control as well as correlation, which aids in defining the 3D structure of subsurface reservoirs and hence their economic potential. For publication of the results we will target international scientific journals routinely read by people working in hydrocarbon exploration and present the project results at the Micropalaeontological Society meeting 2019, which is generally attended by people working in oil and gas industry.