Mikropaleontológia

Mikropaleontológia is the scientific study of microscopic fossils. These fossils, too small to be seen with the naked eye, are found in rocks and sediments and provide valuable insights into Earth's history. The field primarily deals with microorganisms such as foraminifera, radiolarians, ostracods, diatoms, and pollen.

The examination of these microfossils involves specialized techniques and equipment, most notably the microscope. Scientists meticulously collect samples from geological formations, then prepare them through various chemical and physical processes to isolate the microfossils. The identification and classification of these organisms are crucial for their scientific interpretation.

Mikropaleontológia has significant applications in several fields. It is widely used in biostratigraphy for dating rock layers and correlating geological strata across different locations. This is because microfossils often have short geological ranges and widespread distribution. In paleoclimatology, the study of past climates, microfossils act as proxies, as their types and abundance can indicate past environmental conditions like temperature, salinity, and ocean depth. Furthermore, mikropaleontológia plays a vital role in petroleum exploration, as specific microfossil assemblages are often associated with hydrocarbon-bearing formations. The economic importance of this field stems from its ability to guide the search for oil and gas reserves.