PhD: Expanding the Ediacaran geochemical and macrofossil records of the Corumbá region, Brazil

Importance of the area of research:

The Ediacaran Period (635-541 Ma) witnessed some of the greatest geological and evolutionary events in Earth history, including the rise of oxygen to modern levels, the diversification of animal life, global glaciation events, and large-scale continental readjustments. Determining the relationships between organisms and their local geochemical and environmental conditions is imperative if we are to understand the broader evolutionary factors at play in the development of macroscopic life. The late Ediacaran sedimentary successions of the Corumbá region, SW Brazil, offer a unique and relatively under-explored record of biological and geochemical evolution during this critical interval. This project will build upon recent geochronological, micropalaeontological and sedimentological studies to better characterize the biology and ecology of this succession, permitting its integration into global discussions of evolution during the Ediacaran Period.

Project summary:

This project will provide the first systematic palaeontological study of the lower Corumbá Group of the Corumbá region, Brazil. Recent dating indicates that the well-studied Tamengo and Guaicurus formations at the top of this sequence are younger than 555 Ma. This implies that the preceding Cerradinho, Cadieus and Bocaina formations are potentially of late Ediacaran age, and thus of relevance to discussions surrounding Ediacaran environmental change and evolution. Fieldwork will be undertaken to assess the facies and macro-palaeontology of these units, and to constrain basin history and evolution in one of South America’s best Ediacaran successions.