Palynology is the study of organic-walled microfossils (palynomorphs), which includes microscopic reproductive bodies (pollen and spores) of terrestrial plants, and the resting cysts of mostly marine "algae" (dinoflagellates).

Microfossils are captured in sediment during its deposition and are recovered by dissolving the minerals and concentrating the palynomorphs.

	Pollen of conifers or gymnosperms (shrubs and trees)
	Pollen of flowering plants (herbs, shrubs and trees)
	Spores of ferns and allies (herbaceous)

These single-celled algae are best known for causing "red" tides

• Palynology laboratory (GSC Calgary)
• Dinoflagellate classification database (DINOFLAJ) (GSC Atlantic)