Geology Department Postgraduate Web Pages

Name: Nick Owen

Nick on Cecil Peak, nr. Queenstown, New Zealand (2010).

Nick on Cecil Peak, nr. Queenstown, New Zealand (2010).

Contact Details

Name of supervisor

Dr Robin Edwards

Title of Project

A multi-proxy palaeoceanographic investigation of slope deposits on the Porcupine Bank, NE Atlantic Ocean

Project details

This study aimed to increase our understanding of slope deposits on the western flank of the Porcupine Bank in order to assess possible links and feedbacks between changes in deeper level oceanographic circulation and climate oscillations that occurred onshore Ireland during the Quaternary. This was conducted primarily via examination of microfossils (foraminifera) recovered from gravity cores extracted from this area.  Planktonic and benthic foraminifera were studied to provide information on surface and ocean floor conditions (respectively) during deposition, with particular emphasis on key intervals of abrupt climate change in recent Earth history.  The analyses undertaken included assemblage based studies of foraminiferal populations and their state of preservation combined with geochemical data (stable isotopes and trace elements) and focused on short (0.1-1 kyr) to long (100 kyr) term variations. 

Postgraduate personal details

Academic Career
Ph.D. Geology, Trinity College Dublin, 2006-2009
M.Sc. Micropalaeontology, University College London, 2005-2006
B.Sc. Palaeobiology and Evolution, University of Portsmouth, 2002-2005

As an undergraduate student I developed a strong interest in the interpretation of fossils as a tool to provide data of events and processes throughout key intervals in Earth history, particularly in relation to terrestrial and marine ecology, the Palaeogene-Neogene climatic variations and the Ediacaran biota.  This was advanced further as a postgraduate student, focusing on the application of microfossils to study the interactions between oceans and climate during the Late Pleistocene.

Project Start Date

September 2006

Research cruises
RRS James Cook (JC025, 2nd to 27th July ‘08) – Scientist / Foreign Observer on behalf of the Marine Institute, Galway - €2200 grant
RRS Discovery (D342, 18th August 09 to 18th September ‘09) Scientist, contract via Irish Petroleum Studies Research Group, collaborating with British Geological Survey - €2500 grant

Teaching
I have demonstrated on a number of courses and fieldtrips at Trinity College, including; Geology for Engineers (3rd Year), Stable Isotopes (3rd Year), Wexford fieldtrip (1 week, 2nd Year).  I have also been a tutor for 1st Year students during 2008 and 2009.

Publications

Owen, N.L., Edwards, R.J., Toms, L., Haughton, P.D.W., (in review).  Taxonomy and distribution of benthic foraminifera preserved in contourite deposits on the Porcupine Bank, NE Atlantic Ocean.  Micropaleontology.

Owen, N.L., (in prep.).  Contrasts in benthic fauna populations across a linear tidal sand ridge, Celtic Sea.  Progress in Oceanography, Special Publication. 

Fieldwork photos

Waiting patiently for my grab sample on research cruise JC025 (2008).