MGPalaeo offers a full suite of biostratigraphic services, including palynology, micropalaeontology, and phytoliths.

Having a purpose-built laboratory on the premises enables our biostratigraphers to quality control each sample so our clients receive the best results possible. More information on our laboratory services is provided below.

MGPalaeo offers both office-based and wellsite palynology, covering all parts of the geologic column and utilizing our highly refined palynological zonation scheme built upon more than 30 years of work to give you quality biostratigraphic control.

Palynological analyses can be performed using outcrop, cuttings, ditch, sidewall, and core samples, and can be used to provide:

  • Age determination (high resolution to broad-scale dating (Permian vs Miocene, for example)
  • Well-to-well or coal seam-to-coal seam correlations
  • Unconformity or fault identification
  • Sequence biostratigraphy
  • Formation fingerprinting
  • Depositional environment

We require approximately 20g of rock in order to produce palynological slides for analysis, with the best results coming from siltstones and shales of grey to green colour. However, we can also effectively work with coarse sandstones and coals.

Our staff are happy to discuss any proposed sampling program with you to ensure the best results possible and best value for money. This can be for new wells or review projects.

Palynomorphs are sensitive to high temperature and to recrystallisation processes in rocks and therefore not generally preserved in metamorphic rocks, secondary cemented or recrystallised rock such as dolomite, or in rocks in which the organic matter has been carbonised by heat.

Our palynological services include:

  • Standard Palynological Analyses
  • Hot shots – 24-hour turn-around on samples, including processing and standard analysis
  • Palynofacies and thermal maturity studies
  • Legacy reviews
  • Multi-well studies
  • Coal Palynology
  • Integration with phytoliths, micropalaeontology (nannofossils, forams/larger benthic forams) and other dating methods
  • Palaeoenvironmental reconstructions

Our MGPalaeo biostratigraphers can work with you, at your office or ours, helping to develop/refine your project in the best way possible. Please contact us to discuss your requirements or ideas.

Phytoliths are microscopic silica-based plant remains formed when plants absorb soluble silica from groundwater. Their robust nature and resistance to decay make them invaluable tools for both palaeoenvironmental and archaeological investigations. [Image source: Liliana Stoian]

These siliceous plant remnants have been documented from the Late Devonian era to the present day and are found in a variety of environmental contexts. Their presence and characteristics are particularly useful for:

  • Reconstructing Past Environments: Phytoliths provide crucial insights into palaeoenvironments and ecosystems. The types of phytoliths found in a specific area can indicate the plant species that once thrived there, offering clues about past climatic conditions and other environmental factors.
  • Unveiling Human Activities: Phytoliths also illuminate our understanding of human history, particularly in areas such as agriculture, deforestation, and dietary habits. Archaeological sites often yield phytoliths that can reveal the types of plants ancient civilizations cultivated or consumed. These findings can provide a deeper understanding of their dietary preferences, agricultural practices, and even cultural traditions related to food consumption and preparation.

Our laboratory is equipped to handle projects of varying scales, from small, focused studies to larger, more comprehensive investigations. Our dedicated team can work closely with you to develop and refine your project. Please contact us to discuss your requirements or ideas.

Micropalaeontology, particularly the study of foraminifera and nannofossils, plays a pivotal role in understanding Earth’s geological and environmental history.

These microscopic organisms are found in marine and marginal marine environments across the world and are notable for their abundance and diversity. This makes them essential for:

  • Age Dating of Sedimentary Rocks: Invaluable for accurately dating and correlating marine sedimentary rocks from the Palaeozoic to the Cenozoic, providing a robust chronological framework for geological and environmental studies.
  • Palaeoenvironmental Reconstructions: Offering key insights into paleoceanography and paleoclimatology.

Our micropalaeontological services are available globally, with a strategic focus on the Australian and Southeast Asian markets, and we can tailor our processing methodology to meet the specific needs of your project.

For further information or to discuss how our micropalaeontology services can benefit your project, please contact us.

Diatoms are a group of microscopic algae characterized by their unique, silica-based cell walls known as frustules, which exhibit intricate and species-specific patterns. They are abundant in almost all aquatic environments, including freshwater bodies like lakes and rivers, as well as marine environments such as oceans and estuaries, and can even be found in moist soils and on damp surfaces.

Diatoms can provide information on:

  • Environmental Reconstruction: Diatoms assist in reconstructing ancient environmental conditions at archaeological sites, offering insights into past climates and landscapes.
  • Water Source Identification: They help determine the nature of water sources near archaeological sites, such as rivers, lakes, or marine environments.
  • Water Quality Assessment: Diatoms are crucial indicators of water quality, used to monitor pollution levels and the health of aquatic ecosystems.
  • Climate Change Indicators: Their sensitivity to environmental changes makes them valuable for tracking the impacts of climate change over time.
  • Biomonitoring of Ecosystem Health: Diatoms are used in biomonitoring programs to assess and manage the health of freshwater and marine environments.

Our MGPalaeo biostratigraphers can work with you, at your office or ours, helping to develop/refine your project in the best way possible. Please contact us to discuss your requirements or ideas.