Palynology

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Palynology is the study of microorganisms and microscopic fragments of macroorganisms that are composed of acid-resistant organic material and occur in sediments, sedimentary rocks, and even some metasedimentary rocks. Palynomorphs are the microscopic, acid-resistant organic remains and debris produced by a wide variety of plants, animals, and Protista that have existed since the late Proterozoic. It is the science that studies contemporary and fossil palynomorphs (paleopalynology), including pollen, spores, orbicules, dinocysts, acritarchs, chitinozoans and scolecodonts, together with particulate organic matter (POM) and kerogen found in sedimentary rocks and sediments. Palynology does not include diatoms, foraminiferans or other organisms with siliceous or calcareous tests. The words palynology and palynomorph derive from the Ancient Greek παλύνω (palúnō, 'I strew, sprinkle'). Palynology is an interdisciplinary science that stands at the intersection of earth science (geology or geological...

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