Polar Diatom Workshop Travel Request; August 2005; Japan

Colgate University, Hamilton NY

Investigators

Abstract

This award supports U.S. participation in the international Polar Diatom Workshop, to be held in Japan during August 2005. Diatoms are critical indicators of paleoenvironmental conditions, and are very important to understanding the marine record of global climate change. The workshop will facilitate communication among Polar diatomists on a variety of themes, but especially in developing uniform taxonomies. This meeting will advance the field by supporting the exchange of ideas concerning the use of modern and ancient diatoms in both the Arctic and Antarctic for determining sea ice history. In addition, the participants hope to develop a more uniform taxonomy of polar diatoms, which is essential to micropaleontological study in general. In terms of broader impacts, this workshop will promote international collaboration, broaden the perspective of U.S. polar diatomists, and provide an opportunity for the next generation of micropaleontologists to interact with leaders in the field. Results will be submitted for peer-reviewed publication and made generally available to the scientific community.