Bioturbation Exercise

Ron Martin
,
University of Delaware
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Summary

  • Students are given data for three unidentified hypothetical environments and asked to determine the relative effects of mixed layer thickness, sediment accumulation rate, and bioturbation rate based on a simple diffusion-based model of bioturbation.
  • Students are asked to identify the three unknown environments based on the data.
  • Students are then asked questions regarding the effects of the model on temporal resolution and porewater chemistry and the resulting fossil assemblages.

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Context

Audience

This exercise has been used in a junior level paleo course, junior level strat course, and grad level strat course.

Skills and concepts that students must have mastered

Basic concepts of sedimentology and depositional environments.

How the activity is situated in the course

Varies, depending on when section on taphonomy is taught.

Goals

Content/concepts goals for this activity

To understand the relative effects of sedimentation, mixed layer thickness, and bioturbation rate on temporal resolution in each of three different environments.
By the end of this exercise, the student should:
►understand how and where bioturbation takes place.
►determine the relative effects of sedimentation, mixed layer thickness and bioturbation rate on each of three different environments using a simple model.
►understand the drawbacks ("caveats") of the simplistic model.
►understand the effects of bioturbation on porewater chemistry and preservation in marine environments.
►have a basic understanding of how bioturbation occurs on multiple spatial and temporal scales.

Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity

  • How depositional environments vary with respect to temporal resolution and completeness.
  • Critical evaluation of the utility of fossil assemblages formed in different types of depositional environments.

Other skills goals for this activity

  • Students are given data for three unidentified hypothetical environments and asked to determine the relative effects of mixed layer thickness, sediment accumulation rate, and bioturbation rate based on a simple diffusion-based model of bioturbation.
  • Students are asked to identify the three unknown environments based on the data.
  • Students are then asked questions regarding the effects of the model on temporal resolution and porewater chemistry and the resulting fossil assemblages.

Description of the activity/assignment

  • Students are given data for three unidentified hypothetical environments and asked to determine the relative effects of mixed layer thickness, sediment accumulation rate, and bioturbation rate based on a simple diffusion-based model of bioturbation.
  • Students are asked to identify the three unknown environments based on the data.
  • Students are then asked questions regarding the effects of the model on temporal resolution and porewater chemistry and the resulting fossil assemblages.

Determining whether students have met the goals

Assignments (plots, written answers) are collected and examined in relation to plots and lecture notes.

More information about assessment tools and techniques.

Teaching materials and tips

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