Jeremy Brittain

B.Sc. (Honours) Thesis

A palynological analysis of Late Cretaceous and Paleogene Strata from the Eclipse Trough, South Coast section, Bylot Island, Nunavut.

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The South Coast section of Bylot Island contains Cretaceous and Paleogene outcrops making the island’s strata integral in determining the geological history of eastern Arctic Canada. Biostratigraphy is the primary method to obtain ages of sedimentary rocks in the Labrador- Baffin Seaway. Dinocysts are key biostratigraphic markers because they evolve quickly, have a diverse morphology, and are widespread in marine sediments. Dinocysts have distinct tabulation that is used in taxonomy and nomenclature. Tabulation is the primary criteria used to identify dinocysts taxa. Analysis of palynological assemblages have determined new ages and paleoenvironments for Late Cretaceous to Early Paleogene strata at the South Coast section. The paleoenvironment of the South Coast section is neritic with distance from the coast increasing up section. One hiatus is present at the South Coast section. The Campanian section is missing where Early Maastrichtian strata unconformably overlie Coniacian to Santonian strata. Palynological assemblages have refined the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary and place it in the base of the Pond Inlet formation. The taxa across the K/T boundary show little variation suggesting the regional dinocysts record does not show evidence of a major extinction event at the end of the Cretaceous.

Keywords: Bylot Island, palynology, dinocysts, biostratigraphy, Cretaceous, Paleogene, paleoenvironment
Pages: 58
Supervisors: Rob Fensome and Graham Williams