School of Earth & Ocean Sciences

Jenny investigates the seasonality in late Quaternary climate and ocean history that is preserved in laminated, diatom-rich sediments. She is also interested in the processes involved in early sediment fabric production and preservation (e.g. diatom taphonomy, bioturbation and microbioturbation fabrics), and the pitfalls of the subsequent interpretation.

Cathy Stickley analysing Antarctic diatoms using the SEM.

Current research projects focus on the palaeoceanographic analysis of diatom assemblages and laminated sediments from coastal Antarctica, in particular, the East Antarctic margin and the Antarctic Peninsula regions.

Techniques employed in this research include: Scanning electron microscope (SEM) backscattered electron imagery of sediment composition and fabrics; SEM secondary electron imagery of diatom assemblages; Palaeoecological analysis of sequences of diatom assemblages; and Diatom silica oxygen isotope records

Recent Grants

• ESF/EPC PolarCLIMATE Programme: Holocene climate variability at high southern latitudes (HOLOCLIP). Joint Research Project between 7 EU nations; Project Co-ordinator Barbara Stenni (University of Trieste), Pike is UK PI. 2010-2013
• NERC Standard Grant: Diatom silica oxygen isotope records from the Late Quaternary Antarctic margin. With co-Is Melanie Leng and George Swann (NIGL). 1st February 2009 – 31st January 2011.
• NERC Standard Grant: High-resolution Holocene ocean and climate change from the East Antarctic margin. With named collaborators Amy Leventer (Colgate University, USA) and Robert Dunbar (Stanford University, USA). January 2003-December 2005