What is Palynology?
There are
many debates and discussions as to what exactly palynology is and what
it includes. The overall agreement is that it is a branch of study
of micropaleontology, botany and paleobotany. Palynology was
first used by Hyde and Williams in 1944, they defined it as "the study
of pollen and other spores and their dispersal, and applications thereof."
(Tschudy and Scott, 1969). They created
the term to simplify the study of pollen analysis. The definition
has since been revamped to include other microscopic fossils - defined
as palynomorphs by Richard A. Scott. (Kremp,
1968).
Alfred Traverse
offers a simpler, broader definition of palynology, the "study of organic
microfossils". The organic microfossils can be redefined as palynomorphs;
perhaps the confusion of the field lies in what constitutes a palynomorph
and what doesn't.
Firstly, a
palynomorph must be within the size range of 5- 500 micrometres, no smaller
(there are a few exceptions for larger samples). Anything made up
of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is not a palynomorph.
Palynomorphs must resist
palynological preparation.