Applications of Palynology

The literal definition of palynology can be described as the study of dust. Palynology primarily deals with the study of particles strewn in air, water, and other mediums. The work of a palynologist includes studying particulate matter that is found in air, water, or even from the soil. While studying these particulates, the palynologist can figure out the particulate matter’s chemical composition and the details of the life they were surrounded by at a certain point in time. The particulate matter that is considered in the field of palynology is not soluble in hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acids. They can include pollen, spores, and chitinozoans. However, the application of palynology does not include organisms such as diatoms and organisms that have a silica-based external cell wall. 

Palynomorphs

Palynomorphs can be described as microfossils with a cell wall made up of organic material. Their size can range from five to five thousand micrometres, usually extracted from sedimentary rocks. The processes used to extract this particulate matter include ultrasonic treatment and water sieving. Chemically, this particulate matter can be retrieved by removing the external organic layer. Palynomorphs are primarily made up of chitin, pseudo chitin, and sporopollenin. Sporopollenin is the chemical compound that forms the outer layer of a pollen grain. It is known for its longevity and ability to withstand extremely harsh environments. The primary application of palynology is that it helps determine the life form that existed during the formation of particular sedimentary rock. The evidence for the same can be studied when the palynomorph is studied. Another application of palynology is that it helps understand the chemical conditions of the age when they were formed. However, palynomorphs tend to get destroyed if set in crystallised or metamorphic rocks. 

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History of Palynology

The earliest evidence of a pollen grain being observed under the microscope can be found around 1600. These experiments were mainly conducted to find out the reproductive organs in a plant. Over time, when the quality of microscopes improved, larger amounts of pollen grains were being observed under the microscopes. Most of these pollen grains were being extracted from coal that was formed during the Devonian and carboniferous eras. Analysing pollen grain under the microscope became highly famous and adopted by several nations. This, in turn, was able to provide crucial evolutionary evidence. Early scientists were able to identify a large variety of tree pollen and were also able to identify various spores and pollen grains that belonged to essential herbs.

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Methods Used in palynology

One of the most famous applications of forensic palynology used to assess pollen grain is chemical digestion. In earlier times, the only step used in chemical digestion was treated with potassium hydroxide. It was done for the removal of decomposed material around the pollen grain. The flocculation of the removed material was done with the help of surface treatment and also by the activity of ultraviolet radiation. However, this application of forensic palynology needs to be done with a lot of care because too much ultraviolet radiation can cause the pollen grain to rupture. 

With time, the use of hydrofluoric acid for the digestion of the external wall of all of these palynomorphs, made up of silica, was introduced. This method proved to be very helpful in reducing the time required for the analysis of a palynomorph. The study of palynomorphs surrounded by an external layer of chitin was done by floating them in kerosene. Once these samples of pollen or spores are chemically treated, they are placed on a slide and observed under the microscope. These samples are covered by silica oil or glycerol. It prevents the sample from drying out. When these samples are being analysed, the scientists start to look for the number of grains that are a part of each taxon. This information is used to produce a pollen diagram, which can be used to trace the evolutionary history of the sample. 

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Application of Palynology

• The application of palynology includes solving several geological, botanical, and paleontological problems
• In geology, palynology is used to analyse the stratification and find the age of a given bedrock from where the sample was taken
• Due to this, the application of palynology also helps explore oil and gas resources
• Since palynology can help gain access to samples of pollen grains, it can be used to reconstruct flora that belonged to a certain age 

Conclusion

Hence, it can be concluded that palynology is a branch of science used to study particulate matter that can be found in a variety of mediums. Palynology is very helpful in analysing various samples of pollen, spores, and other particulate matter. It can be used in growing the flora found millions of years ago, studying the age of certain plant