Marine Logbook
Knowing the past of our ocean with Foraminifera
What do planktonic foraminifera know?
This research and science communication project aims to introduce planktonic foraminifera —marine microorganisms that float in the ocean and are highly sensitive to environmental conditions. Through their study, researchers can obtain valuable information about the ocean and its physical and chemical changes.
These organisms are covered by a shell that, once it sinks to the seafloor, fossilizes, preserving a record of the environment in which they lived. These tiny fossils provide crucial clues about what the oceans were like hundreds or even thousands of years ago.
In this way, it is possible to reconstruct the history of the Pacific Ocean along the coasts of Chile and Peru, and, based on this knowledge, better understand and predict the changes that may occur in the future.
Collaboration and financing
In this context, throughout 2023, a variety of activities and field trips were carried out to promote scientific and artistic outreach. These included interviews, talks, science-art workshops, science fairs, the creation of illustrated guides (available for download), infographics, posters, and other initiatives aimed at bringing science closer to the community.