The University of Wisconsin-Madison has been awarded a $430,043 project grant from the National Science Foundation's Geosciences program (CFDA 47.050) to conduct collaborative research on eukaryotic life and its preservation within the Mesoproterozoic Lower Belt Supergroup. The research will involve comprehensive paleontological study of the 1.5-billion-year-old Appekunny and Greyson formations in Montana, combining lithostratigraphy, magnetostratigraphy, and detrital geochronological analysis to better understand the temporal, environmental, and paleobiological correlations between the units. The university will also test hypotheses regarding controls on fossil assemblage composition and diversity, perform stratigraphic microfossil sampling and resampling of known macrofossiliferous strata, and characterize problematic fossil types. Connecting the paleobiology, sedimentology, and geochemistry of these key units will enable broader inferences regarding early eukaryote environments, ecosystems, and diversification patterns. The award period is from September 1, 2023 to August 31, 2026.
Mod # | Description | Reason For Modification | Federal Obligation (Click to sort descending) | Date (Click to sort ascending) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Not listed | $430.0k | 6/8/23 |