Russland - Devonian - Carboniferous faunas, depositional environment and carbonate sedimentology of selected areas of Novaya Zemlya, Russia

Novaya Zemlya is surrounded by some of the most important proven and potential hydrocarbon provinces in the Arctic. Exposures of Precambrian through Early Triassic strata on Novaya Zemlya provide vital information with which to constrain the geological ev olution of adjacent basins. However, owing to the use of the island for nuclear testing and waste disposal, direct access for western geologists has been virtually impossible since the 1920s. In 1921 Professor Olaf Holtedahl (University of Oslo) led a sci entific expedition to Novaya Zemlya, Russia. A wealth of important scientific information was collected during the 10 week long expedition, and 40 scientific reports followed. Rich collections include Cambrian trilobites and brachiopods, Devonian corals a nd early fish, Permo-Carboniferous brachiopods, bryozoans, corals and fusulinids, Mesozoic ammonites, belemnites and bivalves. The collection comprises 290 type and figured specimens of fossils, 2856 reference specimens, and 708 rock samples. Holtedahl ( 1924) provided a wealth of data on the collected material, but since then only the contribution by Nakrem et al (1991) has dealt with this collection. Russian research groups have mapped extensive areas of Novaya Zemlya, and numerous reports (in Russian) have been made. The current project will focus on the more than 2.500 samples of Devonian and Carboniferous ages. During 2006 the whole collection database has be updated after specialist visits from Russia and the US, according to modern Russian usage. Corals and brachiopods comprise the greatest proportion, and it is believed that these organisms can shed light on the depositional environment. Fusulinids and conodonts may add knowledge to the biostratigraphy of the samples. Samples will be thin sectio ned for study of carbonate sediment types. Local environmental interpretations will be placed in a regional framework, incl. Svalbard, and will aid in a better understanding of the Boreal area.