lOMoAR cPSD| 61371432
GEOL 1302 – LAB 06: ANALYZING MICROFOSSILS FOR CLIMATE
INSIGHTS | VERIFIED STUDY | 2026 UPDATES
GEOL 1302
Lab 06
Using Microfossils to Observe Climate Change
In this lab, you are going to examine residue containing microfossils, make inferences, and
communicate conclusions from graphs comparing oxygen isotope and carbon isotope ratios in
foraminifera tests. Please submit your worksheets to your instructor.
Helpful Website:
https://www.bgs.ac.uk/news/bgs-laboratory-spotlight-isotopes-as-recorders-of-climate-
andenvironmental-change/
Name _____________________________________________
Date__________________________
Using Microfossils to Observe Climate Change
Directions: Read the background information provided in your Canvas module, then complete
the following questions using the foraminifera samples and isotope data.
1. Use the chart of important planktic and benthic foraminifera species tohelp you identify
3 similar specimens. Draw and label your specimens below.
, lOMoAR cPSD| 61371432
________________________ ________________________
________________________
2. Explain why foraminifera might be important for us to compare climates from different
time periods.
3. We can look at oxygen and carbon isotope ratios in foraminifera tests to identify changes
in deep sea temperatures. The Late Paleocene Thermal Maximum was a time when
carbon dioxide concentrations reached extreme levels, and the temperature rose more
than 5 degrees Celsius. Observe the changes in carbon and oxygen values at 54.9 Ma
shown in the graphs below.
GEOL 1302 – LAB 06: ANALYZING MICROFOSSILS FOR CLIMATE
INSIGHTS | VERIFIED STUDY | 2026 UPDATES
GEOL 1302
Lab 06
Using Microfossils to Observe Climate Change
In this lab, you are going to examine residue containing microfossils, make inferences, and
communicate conclusions from graphs comparing oxygen isotope and carbon isotope ratios in
foraminifera tests. Please submit your worksheets to your instructor.
Helpful Website:
https://www.bgs.ac.uk/news/bgs-laboratory-spotlight-isotopes-as-recorders-of-climate-
andenvironmental-change/
Name _____________________________________________
Date__________________________
Using Microfossils to Observe Climate Change
Directions: Read the background information provided in your Canvas module, then complete
the following questions using the foraminifera samples and isotope data.
1. Use the chart of important planktic and benthic foraminifera species tohelp you identify
3 similar specimens. Draw and label your specimens below.
, lOMoAR cPSD| 61371432
________________________ ________________________
________________________
2. Explain why foraminifera might be important for us to compare climates from different
time periods.
3. We can look at oxygen and carbon isotope ratios in foraminifera tests to identify changes
in deep sea temperatures. The Late Paleocene Thermal Maximum was a time when
carbon dioxide concentrations reached extreme levels, and the temperature rose more
than 5 degrees Celsius. Observe the changes in carbon and oxygen values at 54.9 Ma
shown in the graphs below.
