Curriculum Vitae

 

PhD     Earth Sciences, 2006, Dept. of Geology, Paleontology and Geophysics; University of Padova
MSc     Natural Sciences, 2002, Dept. of Geology, Paleontology and Geophysics; University of Padova

[Masters Degree inclusive of Bachelor degree in Italian system]

 

 

Manuel Rigo’s research and skills bridge the fields of stratigraphy and geochemistry. After his early work, which focused on the biostratigraphy and stratigraphy of Early Mesozoic (Triassic) successions from Southern Apennines and Southern Alps (Italy), he applied integrated stratigraphy (litho-, bio-, magneto- and chronostratigraphy) to describe and propose Upper Triassic stratigraphic sections as possible GSSP candidates (Carnian, Norian, Rhaetian). He is a specialist of Triassic conodont biostratigraphy, also adopting the numerical-statistical analyses for the Triassic conodont fauna revision and was recently involved in the synchrotron-aided reconstruction of the conodont feeding apparatus. During his PhD (2003-2006), he started working on geochemistry (light elements O and C) on rocks and phosphates, and recently on organic matter (C and N) in collaboration with Rutgers University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (USA), to characterise palaeoclimate and environmental change throughout the early Mesozoic. In particular, he specialised in oxygen isotopic studies on biogenic apatite (conodont microfossils), first using ion chromatography and thermal ionization mass spectrometry at the Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (Germany), and later using sensitive High Resolution Ion Micro Probe (SHRIMP) for in-situ microanalytical isotopic studies on single element, in collaboration with the Australian National University (ANU) and Western Australia University (UWA). The collaboration with Australian Universities has recently been extended to new projects, including geochemical proxies (Sr and B isotopes) from fossil biogenic carbonate (corals, molluscs) and phosphates (conodonts), to understand changes in seawater chemistry and climate change on geological timescales. Recently, he was involved in ³⁶Cl surface exposure dating on rock avalanches (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology - ETH, Switzerland) and in studying of geochemical composition of micrometeorites (Kumamoto University, Japan). Manuel is involved in cross-disciplinary research programmes that bring together stratigraphers, geochemists, and palaeontologists to better understand environmental change and system processes on geological timescales.

 

 

2008 –             Ricercatore Universitario, Department of Geosciences, University of Padova, Italy.

[Ricercatore Universitario is a tenure-track position with research, teaching and some administration duties equivalent to an Assistant Professor]

                        Associated Researcher at the IGG - CNR (from 2011)

[Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources - National Research Council]

2006 – 2008    Post Doctoral Researcher, Department of Geology, Palaeontology and Geophysics, University of Padova, Italy

2007                Guide at “Museum of Geology and Palaeontology”, Padova, Italy (2 months)

2006                Contractor for stable isotope analyses and ammonoid collection, Department of Geology, Palaeontology and Geophysics, University of Padova, Italy (3+3 months)

 

2015 –             Member of the Norian/Rhaetian Working Group - Triassic Stratigraphy, IUGS

2011 –             Corresponding member of the Subcommission on the Triassic Stratigraphy, IUGS

 

 

2015    Short Term Mobility - CNR/Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, to carry out research activities in collaboration with the UWA - University of Western Australia

2012    Most cited Paper, 2012 - Honorable Mention, for paper entitled Palaeoecology of Late Triassic conodonts: Constraints from oxygen isotopes in biogenic apatite by Rigo M. and Joachimski M., in Acta Palaeontologica Polonica, 2010.

2008    Premio Dal Piaz (biennium 2007-2008), by Italian Geological Society, intended to recognize and encourage the works of young Italian researchers for geological and paleontological studies.

2004    Fondazione Ing. Aldo Gini Award, 6-month scholarship at foreign Universities

 

 

My key areas of research interest encompass the fields of stratigraphy and geochemistry. My approach to geological problems is field-oriented but multidisciplinary at the same time, tackling problems in climate changes at geological timescales and the relative feedbacks in ancient biosphere, and facing early Mesozoic paleoreconstructions and geochronology by using integrated stratigraphy. My stratigraphical, paleontological and geochemical expertise has yielded a new understanding of the interrelationships between global climate change, geological processes, and biological events (extinctions, radiations, biotic turnover) during important periods in Earth History, such as early Mesozoic. I recently focused my studies on protracted intervals of carbon cycle instability during Late Triassic and Early Jurassic, in particular the Carnian Pluvial Event (CPE) and the late Norian to Rhaetian interval, characterized by huge carbon isotope excursions and mass extinctions, associated to oscillations in the biological pump efficacy and/or in ocean stratification. My research has led me to involve national and international collaborations, using these tools to better understand environmental change on geological timescales.

 

My research interests and current projects include:

• palaeoclimate investigation: causes and effects;
• geochronology of the Triassic System, including GSSPs proposals;
• isotope stratigraphy of light elements on carbonates (O and C) and organic matter (C and N); O and Sr from biogenic apatite (microfossils); boron from biogenic carbonate (corals, molluscs);
• Triassic conodont biostratigraphy, including numerical-statistical analyses; and 3D reconstruction of the conodont feeding apparatus;
• Molybdenum isotopes for palaeoenvironmental reconstructions (redox state of the ocean);
• geochemical composition of micrometeorites;
• ³⁶Cl surface exposure dating on rock avalanches.

 

My aim is to continue my work in these fields while strengthening and developing additional collaborations with other research bodies. I am always open to developing new interesting areas of research.

 

COLLABORATIVE NETWORK

I have established a wide range of national and international research linkages associated with my varied research projects. International collaborators are from Australia, USA, Japan, UK, France, Switzerland and national with other Universities (Milan, Perugia, Ferrara, Palermo) and CNR (National Research Council):

 

AUSTRALIA:

•  Geochemistry of conodont apatite, to better understand Triassic marine paleoenvironments including global climate trends, carbon and carbonate fluxes using:   

1. δ¹⁸O_phos with Dr Julie Trotter (UWA) and Prof Ian Williams (ANU)
2.  ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, δ^88/86Sr, δ⁴⁴Ca, and Sr/Ca with Prof Malcolm McCulloch and Dr Julie Trotter (UWA); reconnaissance project undertaken by one of my PhD students visiting UWA;

•  Geochemistry of pristine biogenic carbonates (corals, molluscs, sponges) to assess their suitability as archives of paleoseawater pH using δ¹¹B with Dr Julie Trotter (UWA) and in association with Prof George Stanley (Univ. Montana USA); 

USA:

• Geochemistry of organic matter (δ¹³C_org, δ¹⁵N_tot) to reconstruct the biological pump efficacy efficiency during Late Triassic with Dr Miriam Katz, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy (NY), USA,
• Molybdenum isotopes for palaeoenvironmental reconstructions (redox state of the ocean); in association with Dr Linda Godfrey Rutgers University, Piscataway (NJ), USA;

JAPAN

• Re and Os concentrations, Re/Os ratios and Os isotope ratios from Late Triassic micrometeorites for significant extraterrestrial input to the sediments with Dr Tetsuji Onoue, Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Kumamoto University;

UK and FRANCE

• synchrotron-aided reconstruction of the conodont feeding apparatus in collaboration with  Dr Carlos Martinez-Perez, University of Bristol (UK), and Dr Nicolas Goudemand, Paleontological Institute and Museum, University of Zurich;

SWITZERLAND

• ³⁶Cl surface exposure dating on rock avalanches with Dr Susan Ivy Ochs, ETH, Ion Beam Physics, Zurich;

ITALY:

• Integrated stratigraphy (litho-, bio-, chemo-, magnetostratigraphy) for the Triassic to Lower Jurassic Tethyan successions and proposal and description of Triassic GSSPs with several colleagues from University of Milan, University of Perugia, University of Palermo, University of Ferrara, Italy;
• Stratigraphy, chemo- and biostratigraphy of Central Apennines and Greek terrains with Dr Marco Chiari, IGG - CNR.

 

 

 Jointly supervise and manage the Stable Isotope Mass Spectrometery Laboratory:

 Thermo Fisher Scientific - IRMS Delta V Advantage connected to:

• Flash HT Elemental Analyzer with ConFlo IV Universal Interface;
• Gas Bench II.

 

Significant experience in sedimentological and palaeontological labs to extract conodont and palynomorph residues, as well as geochemical and magnetostratigraphic samples.

 

• GSA Annual Meeting, 19–22 October, Vancouver, British Columbia. 
• SGI - Società Geologica Italiana, 10-12 settembre, Milano, Italy. 
• Pander Society Workshop, Bologna, 27 February–1 March 2014 
• Goldschmidt 2013, August 25-30, Florence, Italy
• X Congresso GEOSED, Feltre 2-6 luglio 2012
• The Third International Palaeontological Congress, IPC3 takes place in London, June 28 to July 3, 2010.
• “New Developments on Triassic Integrated Stratigraphy”, International workshop, September 12-16 2010, Palermo; 
• “ICOS - International Conodont Symposium 2009”, Calgary, Alberta, CANADA July 12-17, 2009;
• “The Triassic climate”, Workshop on Triassic palaeoclimatology, Bolzano/Bozen (I), June 3-7 2008.
• “Gruppo Italiano Carbonati – Meeting annuale 2008”, Milano, 28-30 Aprile 2008
• “Geoitalia 2007, Sesto Forum Italian di Scienze della Terra”, Rimini, 12-14 settembre 2007
• “ICOS 2006, The First International Conodont Symposium”, University of Leicester, Leicester, U.K., July 12-30 2006.
• “5^th Field Workshop IGCP 458 Project, Triassic-Jurassic Boundary Events” Tata (Hungary) – Puch bei Hallein (Austria), 5-10 September 2005.
• “Europian Geosciences Union – General Assembly 2005” Vienna, Austria, 24-29 April, 2005.
• “32^nd International Geological Congress” Florence (Italy), 20-28 August, 2004.
• “International Meeting and Field Workshop on Triassic Stratigraphy of the Himalaya (Spiti, India)”   June, 25 – July, 6, 2004.
• “Late Triassic-Early Jurassic events in the framework of the Pangea break-up”, Capri, 30 Settembre - 1 Ottobre, 2003.
• “Triassic Geochronology and Cyclostratigraphy field symposium”, St. Christina, Italy, 11-13 September, 2003.

 

 

 

 

2012    X Congresso GEOSED, Italian workshop, Feltre, Italy, 2-6 July 2012. 

 

2010    New Developments on Triassic Integrated Stratigraphy - International Workshop: Palermo, Sicily, Italy, September 12-16, 2010. 

 

2007    The late Norian-Hettangian stratigraphic and paleogeographic evolution of the Bergamasc Alps - Pre-Congress Field Trip Guide Book-FW02, September 8-9, 2007. Geoitalia 2007, Sesto Forum Italian di Scienze della Terra, Rimini, 12-14 September 2007, pg 1-33.

 

2003    Late Triassic-Early Jurassic events in the frame work of the Pangea break-up - Potenza, 30 September- 4 October, pg. 1-45. International Workshop, Capri, September-October, 2003.