A sieving method is described for concentrating pollen and spores from fine-grained sediments. The effectiveness of nylon screens with 5, 7, 10, and 15 μm meshes was tested in comparison with both standard digestion and sodium pyrophosphate suspension procedures.Sieving through 7 μm mesh screens recovers more pollen than any of the other methods tested and effectively removes fines with a negligible loss of pollen (0.4%). We recommend this method for general use with fine-grained minerogenic sediments. Thus, it is possible to process and count more reliably to statistically significant sums, clay and silt-rich samples previously considered either barren of pollen or too time consuming to count.

The Gaspé Belt in the Restigouche area comprises three successions separated by a Late Silurian (Salinic) disconformity and an Early Devonian angular unconformity. The lower, Upper Ordovician to Lower Silurian sequence consists of siliciclastic turbidites of the Boland Brook and Whites Brook formations (Grog Brook Group), overlain by calcareous turbidites of the Pabos and White Head formations (Matapédia Group), and slope and shelf deposits of the Upsalquitch and Limestone Point formations (lower Chaleurs Group). Above the Salinic disconformity, the upper Chaleurs Group and the Dalhousie Group record a transgressive–regressive cycle. The former comprises Pridolian carbonate rocks of the West Point Formation and overlying Pridolian to Lochkovian sedimentary rocks of the Indian Point Formation. The Chaleurs Group is conformably overlain by Lochkovian to early Emsian subaerial volcanic rocks of the Dalhousie Group (Val d'Amour Formation), which is unconformably overlain by alluvial–lacustrine deposits of the late Emsian Campbellton Formation. Acadian orogenesis began during the Emsian and is characterized by open to closed folding, heterogenous cleavage development, and reverse and strike-slip faults. The Salinic orogeny is manifested in extensional block faulting, within-plate volcanism, and uplift and deep erosion of Early Silurian strata. Early Devonian high-level intrusion of the Matapédia Group, White Head clasts in Indian Point conglomerate, and thermal maturation data all indicate an extended period of Late Silurian – Early Devonian uplift in parts of the Restigouche area. Thermal maturities of West Point and Indian Point strata are within the oil and condensate windows and suggest potential for hydrocarbons in the study area.

The Taconian Humber Zone stretches from western Newfoundland to southern Quebec. The Early Cambrian slope succession in Newfoundland is found in the Curling Group, whereas in Quebec, various units were deposited during that first time slice. Biostratigraphic data allow correlation of the Curling Group with the Labrador Group in Newfoundland and with the newly time-constrained slope succession in Quebec. The end of the rift–drift transition is marked by a sea-level lowstand at the end of the Early Cambrian. The Middle Cambrian to latest Early Ordovician passive margin history recorded five cyclic sea-level fluctuations. Three of these cycles are recorded in the shallow-marine Middle to Late Cambrian platform (Port au Port Group) and slope sediments preserved in the Cow Head and Northern Head groups in Newfoundland. The biostratigraphic information assists correlation with Cambrian passive margin units in Quebec. Major sea-level lowstands are recognized along the continental margin in early–middle Late Cambrian (Steptoan) and in late Late Cambrian (Sunwaptan). Even if the Quebec succession can be tied with its Newfoundland correlative, some significant differences in the nature of Upper Cambrian slope conglomerates argue for a tectonic control on the depth of erosion of the Cambrian continental margin. The Lower Ordovician record of the passive margin consists of two depositional cycles (Tremadocian–Arenigian) separated by a sea-level lowstand. This last event is well expressed in platform succession and is also recognized in conglomerate units found in the slope succession.

Lithostratigraphic, chronostratigraphic, sedimentological and penological data from the Upper Jurassic‐Lower Cretaceous Morrison and Cloverly Formations in central Wyoming allow detailed characterization of the early history of the central part of the Cordilleran foreland basin. The Morrison is divisible into three informal members: (1) a lower sandstone, deposited by a complex coastal dune‐foreshore–fluvial system during retreat of the Sundance sea; (2) a middle mudstone, deposited by muddy fluvial and ephemeral lacustrine systems during a period of regional, seasonal aridity; and (3) an upper sandstone, deposited by a sandy fluvial system of variable sinuosity. The overlying Cloverly Formation is divisible into two informal members: (1) a lower mudstone (previously considered as part of the Morrison Formation), deposited by muddy fluvial and lacustrine systems; and (2) an upper chert‐pebble conglomerate and sandstone, deposited primarily by gravel‐dominant braided rivers. Palynological data and a single fission‐track date indicate that the lower part of the middle Morrison mudstone is early to middle Oxfordian and the upper part of the lower Cloverly mudstone is Valanginian. Morrison sandstones are subarkosic, with average %QFL = 91,6, 3 and %QmFLt = 83, 6, 11. Cloverly sandstones are cherty litharenites and sublitharenites, with average %QFL = 99.6, 0,0.4 and %QmFLt = 82,0,18 (Gazzi‐Dickinson point‐counting method). Palaeocurrent data and sandstone compositions indicate a complex provenance including exirrabasinal sources in lower Mesozoic and upper Palaeozoic sedimentary and volcanic rocks of the Cordillera and intrabasinal sources of Proterozoic clasts in south‐central Wyoming. Cloverly sandstone compositions in the eastern part of the study area were influenced by short‐term fluvial reworking within the basin. The thickness of the composite Morrison‐Cloverly succession is practically constant over a distance of several hundred km east of the Idaho‐Wyoming thrust belt, and its internal chronostratigraphic zones are subparallel. On the other hand, equivalent strata in the Gannett Group of the thrust belt are at least three times thicker. This indicates that the Morrison and Cloverly in central Wyoming were deposited within the overfilled part of the foreland basin. Preliminary regional correlation indicates that coarse‐grained lithofacies in these rocks are significantly time‐transgressive, generally becoming younger toward the E and NE. Overfilling of the early Cordilleran foreland basin in central Wyoming was accomplished by progradation from the W and S. In spite of their three‐dimensional (3D) complexity, the Morrison and Cloverly Formations generally confirm theoretical model predictions for overfilled foreland basins.

Palynologic analyses of four short cores collected along shallow- to deep-water transects in Second and Gignac lakes indicate two periods of forest clearance for farming. The first deforestation was by Huron Indians between A.D. 1450 and 1650, when a maple (Acer), beech (Fagus), and oak (Quercus) forest was cleared and corn (Zea) planted. This disturbance is identified by decreased tree pollen and increased Pteridium, Artemisia, and other herbs and is confirmed by Zea pollen in Gignac Lake. From 1650 to 1875 there was a forest succession to oak, birch (Betula), and pine (Pinus). Following this recovery European loggers and farmers cleared this forest and attempted farming. Besides a reduction in tree pollen, a product of this deforestation includes the pollen of weedy Ambrosia, Gramineae, and introduced European Rumex and Plantago. During the last 25 years an increase in tree pollen indicates local forest recovery consistent with present land use.By relating upland vegetation successions to lacustrine algal assemblage changes, probable ecological controls on algae during the last 600 years are identified. Peridinium willei Huitfeldt-Kaas and Pediastrum respond to changes induced by forest clearance and agriculture. Aquadulcum awendae n. sp. and Peridinium wisconsinense Eddy prefer less alkaline water.Variations in palynomorph influx are related to basin morphology and water circulation. Gignac Lake, a steep sided and relatively deep lake, directs palynomorphs from shallow marginal banks to the deeper basin, whereas Second Lake, with a gently sloping shallow lake bottom, preferentially accumulates palynomorphs close to shore.

Palynomorphs and graptolites from Paleozoic strata in western Newfoundland are examined and correlated with previously published data to identify fossils which are characteristic of proven and suspected source rocks. Measurements of colour alteration of acritarchs and spores (acritarch alteration index and thermal alteration index), random graptolite reflectance, and vitrinite reflectance are applied to determine regional thermal maturation and burial history. General trends of increasing maturity from south to north along the Northen Peninsula and from west to east across the Port au Port Peninsula are observed. Within these general trends, a more detailed distribution of thermal maturities can be recognized. In the south, Upper Ordovician rocks of the Long Point Group, western Port au Port Peninsula, exhibit the lowest maturity values found in western Newfoundland and are considered immature or marginally mature. Middle Ordovician rocks of the Goose Tickle and Table Head groups and the Lower Ordovician St. George Group are marginally mature. Cambrian strata on the Port au Port Peninsula are mature. Maturation levels increase to the east; Goose Tickle Group black shales in the vicinity of Black Cove, east of Port au Port, are mature. Equivalent sediments extending for another 15-20 km to the east lie within the oil window. Beyond that area, the equivalent rocks are overmature. The best potential source rocks belonging to the allochthonous Cow Head Group contain abundant acritarchs and Gloeocapsamorpha sp. These rocks are marginally mature to mature within Gros Morne National Park; maturation levels increase farther north (e.g., Parsons Pond), becoming overmature somewhere south of Port au Choix. It is concluded that neither the allochthonous Ordovician rocks presently exposed in Gros Morne nor the autochthonous strata exposed on the Port au Port Peninsula have ever been covered by significant thicknesses of overburden (probably 3 km or less), either in the form of structural slices or other sedimentary units since their original deposition.

Neutron-activation analysis, loss on ignition (LOI), and X-ray diffraction of eight cores collected in Second and Gignac lakes are correlated with historic and palynologic records to identify elements linked to erosion from deforestation and farming.Forest disturbance and farming are identified in cores of organic detritus sediment (gyttja) by decreased LO1 and increased Na, Mg, Ba, Al, Ti, and Dy. LO1 is not suitable for identifying forest disturbances in carbonate sediments. From neutronactivation analysis of carbonate mud only Na, Al, and Dy indicate erosion.Elements linked to the quantity of organic matter in sediments include U, V, and C1, whereas Mn and I in surface sediments presumably correspond with variations in the oxidation potential and plant productivity, respectively.Sedimentation patterns relate to basin morphology. In Gignac Lake the basin is steep sided and relatively deep. Clastic detritus entering the lake is canied over the shallow, nearshore carbonate bank into deeper water. In Second Lake the basin is shallow and gently sloping. Minerals eroded from onshore are more equally distributed in this basin. In Second Lake the most rapid sedimentation is nearshore where submerged aquatic macrophytes produce and trap carbonate mud. In Gignac Lake the top of the shallow carbonate bank has few aquatic macrophytes; lime mud formed on the bank is washed into deep water offshore, where it dissolves.Les ksultats de l'analyse par activation neutronique, de la perte au feu (PAF) et de la diffraction des rayons-X de huit carottes prklevtes dans les lacs Second et Gignac sont mis en corklation avec les registres historiques et palynologiques dans le but d'identifier les ClCments impliquCs dans 1'Crosion provoqute par la dCforestation et la mise en culture. La dCforestation et la pratique de l'agriculture se traduisent dans les carottes de stdiments de dktritus organique (gyttja) par une diminution de la PAF et une augmentation du Na, Mg, Ba, Al, Ti et Dy. La PAF de sCdiments calcaires ne permet pas de dCpister les abattements forestiers. Dans l'analyse par activation neutronique de boues calcaires, seuls le Na, A1 et Dy peuvent indiquer un CvCnement d'trosion.Les tltments lits i la quantitk de matibre organique dans les saiments incluent U, V et C1, tandis que Mn et I des sediments de surface correspondent possiblement aux variations du potentiel d'oxydation et i la productivitC des plantes, respectivement.Les motifs de la sedimentation sont en relation avec la morphologie du bassin. Le bassin du lac Gignac est profond et prksente des c8tCs abrupts. Le dCtritus clastique entrait dans les lac est transport6 par-dessus le banc calcaire de faible profondeur p k s de la rive dans une zone d'eau plus profonde. Dans le lac Second le bassin est peu profond et les parois ont une faible pente. Les minkraux libtks par l'trosion des terrains en bordure du lac sont distribuCs de manibre plus homogbne dans ce bassin. Dans le lac Second le taux de saimentation est plus ClevC p k s de la rive du lac oh des macrophytes aquat...

More than 100 m of nearly flat-lying, fluvially derived, thick-bedded and lensoid, clast-supported conglomerate and sandstone are found on Red Island, off the coast of the Port au Port Peninsula, western Newfoundland. Formally described herein and named Red Island Road Formation, the strata represent a unique lithologic formation not exposed or known anywhere else in the region. Characteristic features include abundant, rounded, highly weathered and varnished cobbles and boulders derived from an unknown mixed volcanic and very low to low-grade metamorphic terrane. Although the unit is largely unfossiliferous, a thin sandstone bed near the top of the type section contains primitive dichotomously branched plant remains and biostratigraphically significant palynomorphs. Among more than 25 species of spores, it is the diversity of Emphanisporites, Dictyotriletes, and Dibolisporites, and in particular Dibolisporites echinaceus, Dictyotriletes canadensis, Emphanisporites annulatus, E. erraticus, and E. schultzii that indicate the Red Island Road Formation was deposited during the early and early late Emsian Emphanisporites annulatus -Camarozonotriletes sextantii Assemblage Zone. Biostratigraphy places age constraints on Acadian tectonism, local thrusting, and foreland basin development in this part of the Anticosti Basin. The suite of clasts indicates a radical shift in provenance as compared with siliciclastic units lower in the foreland basin sequence. Clearly, the source for these clasts is not local. Terranes farther afield, such as the La Poile Group in southwestern Newfoundland, should be examined as possibilities for the provenance of these rocks. Résumé :Plus de 100 m de conglomérat et de grès, presque plats, en lentilles et en lits épais formés de clastes, et provenant de dépôts fluviatiles, se retrouvent sur l'île Red, au large de la côte de la péninsule de Port au Port, à l'ouest de Terre-Neuve. Cette formation est formellement décrite dans cet article et elle est nommée Formation de Red Island Road; les strates représentent une formation lithologique unique qui n'affleure pas et qui est inconnue ailleurs dans la région. Elle est caractérisée par de nombreux galets et blocs arrondis, hautement altérés et polis, qui proviennent d'un terrane volcanique, inconnu, mélangé, présentant un métamorphisme de très bas à bas. Bien que l'unité soit largement dépourvue de fossiles, un mince lit de grès à proximité du sommet de la section type contient des restes de plantes à ramification par dichotomie et plus de 25 espèces de palynomorphes biostratigraphiquement significatifs. Parmi les spores, c'est la diversité des Emphanisporites, des Dictyotriletes et des Dibolisporites et en particulier Dibolisporites echinaceus, Dictyotriletes canadensis, Emphanisporites annulatus, E. erraticus et E. schultzii qui indiquent que la Formation de Red Island Road a été déposée au cours de la Zone d'assemblage à Emphanisporites annulatusCamarozonotriletes sextantii, à l'Emsien précoce et tardi-précoce. La biostratigraphie limite la pla...