In a broad sense, palynology is a branch of science (Earth science) that studies contemporary and fossil palynomorphs,including pollen grains, spore of fungi, pteridophytes and bryophytes, dinoflagellate cysts, acritarchs, chitinozoans and scolecodonts, together with Particulate Organic Matter (POM), charcoal fragments and koregen among others found in the atmosphere, honey, sedimentary rocks and sediments. It also involves the study of the biochemical and immunological potentials of living pollen, spores and other bioparticles. Palynology is an interdisciplinary science that cuts across earth science (geology or geological science) and plant science (biological science).
Light micrographs of representative fossil spores and pollen grains
Source: ResearchGate (2014)
Applications
Palynology has many applications;
Palynologist use living pollen and spores (actuopalynology) in the study of plants relationships and evolution, as well as allergies (medical palynology) and why pollen grains and spores elicit allergies.
Fossil pollen and spores (paleopalynology) are also used to study past environments (plants and climate), stratigraphy (the analysis of strata or layered rock), historical geography and paleontology.
The oil industry, demonstrates the usefulness of palynomorphs in the study of stratigraphic sequence of rocks and the potential for oils and gas exploration. This is done by correlating rocks of the same age in order to locate layers that may contain oil and natural gas.
Palynomorphs recovered from the gut or intestinal tract of early humans, and those associated with artifacts ( pots, tools or other cultural objects) found found at their grave sites have been used to understand the diets and hunting practices of early people.
Melissopalynology a subdiscipline, is the study of pollen in honey, with the purpose of identifying the source plants used by honeybees in the production of honey. This is important to honey producers because honey produced by pollen and nectar from certain plants demand higher price in the market than that produced by other plant sources. Some plants may produce nectar and pollen that are harmful to human health. A careful monitoring of the pollen types found in honey may identify these toxic sources and the honey produced may be kept out of the commercial market. Therefore good knowledge of plants for potential honey production will help in the establishment of an apicultural farm (bee farm).
Entomopalynology is the study of pollen found on the body or in the gut of insects. It is useful for determining insect feeding and migratory habits, especially as it involves economically important insects that attack crops and grains.
Forensic palynology, or the use of pollen in solving crime, I use by crime scene investigators around the world to resolve criminal cases.
Pollen biotechnology is an area of study used in optimizing crop yield and crop improvement.
The field of palynology is very broad and covers many disciplines ranging from plant science, geology, phytogeography, archeology and medicine.
Opportunities
Palynologist or students of palynology are exposed to a wide variety of employment opportunities, some of which include;
Research institute
Oil and gas (Petroleum) companies and subsidiaries
Ministries of forestry and environment
Meteorological agencies
Universities, etc.