The aim of this study was to compile a list of descriptions of genera and species of brachiopod fossils which have been reported by various authors from the Devonian rocks of Canada, West of the 110th meridian. This thesis is divided into two parts. The first part is essentially bibliographical. The second part contains descriptions of genera and species of brachiopods. The bibliography in Part I contains forty references from which brachiopod faunal lists were compiled. Part I also contains an index map showing the geographical location of outcrop areas from which the fossils were collected, and a chart showing the stratigraphic range of brachiopod genera in a typical Devonian section of the Southern Rocky Mountains. In Part II, the brachiopod faunal lists have been arranged in a systematic manner. They are supplemented by detailed descriptions of fifty-one genera and ninety-eight species. The descriptions are prefaced by a short discussion of biological classification; a note on the modern concept of species; a glossary of brachiopod terminology, and a short list of important references on this group of fossils. All the descriptions are taken from the literature on the subject because none of the type material is presently at the University of British Columbia. The brachiopod descriptions are arranged by superfamilies. Conclusions are drawn regarding the scope and limitations of this study. Some suggestions are offered for the further study of this group of fossils. / Science, Faculty of / Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Department of / Graduate

Evidence concerning the ecology of American Palaeozoic sponges, excluding hexactinellids and incertae sedis, is discussed and evaluated. In addition, detailed summaries of nearly all the papers describing American Palaeozoic sponges are included. This thesis, for the most part is a compilation of available information, and is intended as such to be a guide for further investigations (especially field studies) of sponge ecology. The environment in which the Palaeozoic sponges lived was very important in deciding whether they would, be preserved as fossils or be destroyed. Muddy waters seem to have been the best for preserving sponges, while only the more solidly built forms such as lithistids and calcisponges are usually preserved on firm bottoms in clear waters. Sponges, because of their physiological make-up, are subject to rapid decay and hence usually leave little trace of their former presence in the sediments. This is especially true of the loosely built manactinellids and tetractinellids, but less so of the more solidly constructed lithistids and calcisponges. It can be seen, therefore, that, at times the ancient seas probably contained large sponge faunas, but that little record of their presence was left behind. The ecology of the sponges, in this thesis, is dealt with by epochs, an exception being that of the Carboniferous period. In the Cambrian, sponges are present in the Waucobian and Albertan series. Besides the hexactinellids, pleosponges and incertae sedis, the monactinellids are the only sponges found. These are nearly all found in shaly sediments. A muddy water environment is suggested, but it is possible that the muds might have been the only sediments capable of preserving the monactinellids. The Ordovician contains the largest sponge fauna, in number of genera and species, of any Palaeozoic system. They are found in all stages. Tetractinellids, lithistids, and calcisponges, as well as monactinellids are present but little information was found on their ecology. A muddy water environment is suggested for the monactinellids and a clear water one for the lithistids and calcisponges. The seas, at all times, appear to have been shallow. In the Cincinnatian epoch the sponges,in the area around Ohio and Kentucky,are believed to have lived in clear, limestone depositing waters and to have been periodically killed by influxes of mud. The Silurian sponges are found only in the Niagaran series. The fauna consists chiefly of lithistids and seems to have lived in relatively deep, quiet,muddy waters.. It is suggested that the salinity of the succeeding Cayugan seas may have contributed to their extinction. After Silurian times, lithistids were never very numerous in the Palaeozoic. Although rich in the remains of hexactinellids, the Devonian system contains very few genera and species of the other sponge groups. The Ulsterian series contains only Hindia fibrosa. This sponge seems to have preferred muddy waters. The Senecan series contains numerous markings attributed to the work of boring sponges. Little is known of the ecology of Carboniferous sponges. Hence the Mississippian and Pennsylvanian systems are discussed together. The Permian system contains a rather large calcisponge and lithistid fauna in which the calcisponges dominate. The Permian sponges are usually found associated with reef deposits. In Leonardian times, calcisponges usually lived on the fore-reef and the lithistids in the near-fore-reef, open sea facies. In Guadalupian times, the calcisponges lived on both the reef and near-fore-reef facies. Lithistids were not numerous, but are found mostly on the fore-reef. The Guadalupian sponges made important contributions to reef building. / Science, Faculty of / Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Department of / Graduate

Preliminary to the descriptions of genera and species is a very brief discussion of coral terminology and classification. The thesis embodies descriptions and illustrations of 29 genera and 42 species of fossil corals, reported in the literature to occur in Upper Devonian rocks of western Canada. Although most of these are reported from the Rocky Mountain area, several species from the Mackenzie River-Mackenzie Mountains area are also included. In addition, species reported from the Upper Devonian Outcrops east of the Rocky Mountains have been dealt with. Numerous taxonomic problems encountered in the study are discussed in remarks on the genera and species involved. Fossil corals collected from the region drained by the headwaters of the North Saskatchewan River are described, identified and illustrated. Nine genera and 14 species are recognized in the collection. Of these, 1 genus and 4 species do not appear to have been previously reported to occur in the Upper Devonian beds of the Rocky Mountains in Canada. The species of Coenites described is possibly a new one but it cannot be regarded as such until a study is made of literature which, at present, is not available. From this study of Upper Devonian corals, the writer concludes that the DISPHYLLIDAE are in need of division into new subfamilies, and he suggests two characteristics whose phylogenetic significance requires investigation. However, it is considered that existing paleontologlc data Is neither comprehensive enough nor precise enough to permit such an undertaking. Reasons are given for the present inadequacies of knowledge of Upper Devonian corals and recommendations are made for improvement of the situation. / Science, Faculty of / Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Department of / Graduate

M.Ing. (Mechanical Engineering) / Fossil fuels have been the backbone for the world in terms of fulfilling energy requirements. One of the best used types of fuel is the coal due to its availability throughout the globe. However, the coal resources cannot be reproduced hence the future generation may be negatively affected by the present method of generating energy. Unfortunately, these resources have undesirable effects to the environment which may lead to global warming. Other various sources may include oil and gas, nuclear, and the renewables. Oil and gas have diverse use currently especially in the transportation of goods and people across the continents. Nuclear energy is a mature technology but recent disasters have led to the public to be anti-nuclear. This perception is also fuelled by the in NGOs who are staunch supporters of renewable power. In addition, the issue about nuclear energy revolves around the undesirable side effect like the production of atomic bombs which are dangerous weapons ever. To produce nuclear energy, usually uranium is used which is also not available in abundance. Therefore, limiting their use will ensure that our future generations enjoy these benefits. Renewable sources like wind, wave, and solar, hydro, geothermal and tidal energies needs to be explored further for the sake of our future generations. The challenges which are faced by policy makers regarding the fossil fuels include catastrophic disasters which require billions of dollars in the form reconstruction after heavy drought and floods which damage the infrastructure and the economy at large. These disasters can be prevented if all governments are working together to eliminate or reduce the causes of climate change due to global warming. Unfortunately climate change must be addressed by all nations as it is no use for say one country to reduce emissions while others are not doing enough as we share the same atmosphere. The cost of renewable energy has been on the decline as the technology becomes more mature and the installed capacity across the globe increases. Thus more data is available to obtain understanding about the operations and maintenance of these systems. The other advantages of renewable sources are input costs are minimal for example wind energy comes from wind which is free. Same applies to solar energy which uses radiant energy from the sun which is also freely available. The coal and nuclear fuel power stations are currently in the forefront due to the fact that both stations may be used as based load to maintain grid stability in terms of power frequency. The renewable energy sources are very unreliable as they heavily dependent on weather. Unfortunately weather cannot be controlled.The renewable power is derived from biomass, geothermal, hydroelectric, solar, wave and wind. The renewable power tends to be the most expensive option in comparison to the traditional sources (coal, oil and gas, and nuclear). Technology for electricity generation from these renewable sources is now becoming mature and both maintenance and operating cost are decreasing. However, the costs of electricity from the traditional sources may further be increased by the cost of modifying the existing plants in order to comply with the new regulations which will then give renewable power a breakthrough. The renewable technologies appears to be winning the hearts and minds of those who care about environment and the future of the world at large as all sources of renewable are 100% recyclable.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Science, 1990. / A fauna of mid-Cretaceous Carabidae (Coleoptera), recovered from Orapa Diamond mine, Botswana is described. The carabids are similar to extant forms and include: the first record of a fossil of the subfamily Promecognathinae, Palaeoaxinidium orapensis (gen. et sp. n o v . ); the earliest record of a member of the Scaritinae; and ten specimens which are placed tentatively in the subfamilies Siagoninae (two specimens), Pterostichinae (three specimens), Anchomeninae (one specimen), and Harpalinae (four specimens); in addition two specimens cannot be placed in any particular subfamily. The manner of preservation of the fossils is described, and a taphonomic analysis of the site is attempted. The exact age of the sediments is discussed, and a palaeoenvironment is inferred from a study of the carabids, the rest of the fossil fauna, and the sediments. This fauna of carabids lived in a well-wooded crater formed by the eruption of a kimberlite. The climate of the time was seasonal, warm, and intermediate between tropical and temperate extremes. The morphological conservatism of the promecogna thine, and the apparent conservatism of the way of life of members of this group, provides support for the punctuated equilibrium pattern of evolution.

Thesis (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The fossiliferous Waaipoort Formation (Witteberg Group, Cape Supergroup), Ganikobis Formation (Dwyka Group, Karoo Supergroup) and Whitehill Formation (Ecca Group, Karoo Supergroup) span a protracted period interrupted by a +-45Ma glacial event. This Late Carboniferous glacial event resulted in a prolonged hiatus in sedimentation as well as significant erosion in many southern continents of Gondwana. This study demonstrates how the glacial episode affected faunal composition and changes in palaeoecology in southern Gondwana across this time period. The Waaipoort shows the highest overall faunal diversity with relatively high palaeoniscoid diversity within Ganikobis and Whitehill Formations. This study is unique in correlating Early Carboniferous - Early Permian fish fauna of South Africa and Namibia specifically, as well as other parts of southern Gondwana, and includes maps of possible fish migration routes. This study attempts to refine the body of disjointed knowledge on the taxonomy and distribution of the fish fauna surrounding this period in southern Gondwana. Three new Waaipoort taxa are recognised, and several reassigned. Earlier work on Late Carboniferous fish from Southern Africa has been updated herein to incorporate recent collections. This has allowed the recognition of up to 15 new palaeonoscoid taxa, some of which are endemic to this region. Several new taxa are recognised within the Whitehill Formation fish fauna and a new lectotype for Palaeoniscum. capensis is presented. Detailed taphonomic and sedimentological studies (with 6 lithologs) of fossil localities visited in this broad-based study verify the correlation, and impart information often lost or ignored in pure palaeontological studies on the palaeoecology or palaeoenvironment of the fauna. Systematic relationships discussed here also serve to strengthen the palaeobiogeographical correlations between the Gondwanan continents. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die fossie1draende Waaipoort Formasie (Witteberg Groep, Kaap Supergroep), Ganikobis Formasie (Dwyka Groep, Karoo Supergroep) en Whitehill Formasie (Ecca Groep, Karoo Supergroep) strek oor 'n uitgebreide tydvak wat 'n periode van vergletsering van ongeveer 45 miljoen jaar insluit. Hierdie Laat Karboon ystyd het sedimentasieprosesse lank onderbreek en beduidende erosie in baie van die suidelike kontinente van Gondwana veroorsaak. Die huidige studie toon hoe die vergletsering die faunistiese samestelling en veranderings in die paleo-ekologie van suidelike Gondwana beinvloed het. In totaal toon die Waaipoort die grootste faunistiese diversiteit, terwyl 'n relatief hoe diversiteit ook onder die Palaeoniscoidei van die Ganikobis en Whitehill Formasies voorkom. Hierdie studie is uniek insoverre dit spesifiek data oor die Vroee Karboon - Vroee Perm visfauna van Suid-Afrika en Namibie, asook ander gebiede van suidelike Gondwana korrelleer en kaarte van moontlike migrasieroetes insluit. Die navorsing poog om die groot hoeveelheid losstaande inligting oor die taksonomie en verspreiding van die visfauna in suidelike Gondwana te verwerk en te verfyn. Drie nuwe taksa is uit die Waaipoort geidentifiseer en 'n verdere aantal is geherklassifiseer. Vroeer navorsing oor die Laat Karboon-visse van Suider-Afrika is bygewerk in die lig van resente versamelings. Dit het die herkenning van tot 15 nuwe taksa onder die Palaeoniscoidei, waarvan sommige endemies aan hierdie streek is, moontlik gemaak. 'n Aantal nuwe taksa word onder die visfauna van die Whitehill Formasie aangeteken, saam met 'n nuwe lektotipe van Palaeoniscum capensis. Gedetailleerde tafonomiese en sedimentologiese analises van die vindplekke wat tydens hierdie studie ondersoek is en wat 6 vertikale profiele insluit, ondersteun hierdie korrelasie. Sodoende stel dit inligting beskikbaar wat dikwels gedurende suiwer paleontologiese studies oor die paleo-ekologie of paleo-omgewing van die fauna verlore sou gaan of geignoreer sou word. Die sistematiese verwantskappe wat hier bespreek word dien ook om die paleobiogeografiese ooreenkomste tussen die Gondwana-kontinente te versterk.

Thesis (doctoral)--In Universitate Viadrina, 1848. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, Dept. of Geology, 1981.

Thesis (doctoral)--In Universitate Viadrina, 1848. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Cambridge. / "August 1965." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 228-234) and index.