Dr. Bas Van De Schootbrugge

Biography

Bas van de Schootbrugge is an Associate Professor at Utrecht University specializing in Marine Palynology and Palaeoceanography. His research focuses on the application of multi-proxy studies that combine micro-palaeontology, geochemistry, and sedimentology to understand significant changes in the biosphere and geosphere over deep time. He investigates mass-extinction events that have influenced the trajectory of life on Earth, particularly through the study of organic-walled microfossils. These include pollen, spores, phytoplankton remains, and insect remains, which provide crucial insights into historical climate conditions, atmospheric chemistry, ocean circulation, and temperature salinity variations. His ongoing research is particularly concerned with the direct links between large-scale volcanism and organism extinctions, focusing on evidence from atmospheric pollution and volcanic mercury mutations affecting land plants during the Mesozoic mass-extinction events. His studies have also revealed significant findings, such as the oldest evidence of wing scales related to the evolution of butterflies and moths. Recent field expeditions in Svalbard and Siberia have yielded valuable records of environmental and evolutionary changes in high-latitude regions, critical to understanding global changes.

Research Interests

Experience