Expected results

a) Short-term results

• Publication of a special issue of “Gondwana Research” with the latest research results on the Vendian-Cambrian of W-Gondwana (to be published in October 2003)
• Publication of a valid bio- and chemostratigraphic scheme for the Neoproterozoic-Early Cambrian of SW-Gondwana.
• Dessignation of C- and Sr- chemostratotypes for the different periods involved in SW-Gondwana.
• Publication of an inventory/atlas of known Neoproterozoic fossils of SW-Gondwana, including organic-walled microfossils, skeletal fossils, vendobionts and trace fossils.
• Publication in 2005 of preliminary project results as a special issue of a renowned journal (Precambrian Research, Basin Research or similar).
• Publication of a palaeogeographic model for the assembly of SW-Gondwana.
• Publication on the number, age and extent of Neoproterozoic glaciations in SW-Gondwana, and definition of stratotypes for the different glaciations.
• Publication of a book in 2007on the palaeogeographic, palaeoclimatic, palaeobiologic and tectonomagmatic events and evolution of SW-Gondwana during the Neoproterozoic-Early Palaeozoic, as well as its mineral resources and economic potential.
  

b) Longer term results

• In theoretical science
• Contribute towards understanding of the interaction between geotectonics, oceanic and atmospheric eochemistry, global climate and organismic evolution.
• Litho-, chemo-, sequence- and biostratigraphic correlations of Neoproterozoic- Early Palaeozoic units from different regions of SW-Gondwana and provenance studies to model different source regions of these sedimentary successions.
• Reconstruction of the pre- to post-collisional history of SW-Gondwana based on the previous points.
• Contribute towards understanding of the factors that determined the advent of the Vendobionta, Metazoa and skeletal organisms, as well as the evolution of oceanic plankton. Additional biostratigraphic results are expected.

• In applied sciences and technology
• Stress the importance of the region and the geological units studied as an important supplier of mineral resources, such as iron, manganese, uranium, base metals, limestone, dolomite and groundwater.
• Provide the theoretical framework for a more efficient exploration of mineral resources in correlative successions from either sides of the S-Atlantic.
• Provide the basis for future correlative studies in the region, which can contribute to more efficient exploration of diamonds, gold, silver, iron and industrial minerals (magnesite, talc, graphite) in pre-Neoproterozoic terranes.
• Contribute towards a better understanding of karst systems in extensive carbonates of Neoproterozoic-Early Palaeozoic age, such as in the A?unguí, Arroyo del Soldado, Corumbá, Kango, Nama, Otavi, Port Nolloth, Sierras Bayas and Witvlei groups, and groundwater exploration in these systems.

• In respect of benefit to society
• Transfer of information regarding occurrences of mineral deposits.
• Improve the understanding of factors controlling global climatic change.
• Implications for karst systems may benefit local communities, specially in arid regions
• Training of participants from less developed countries.
• Offer opportunities for post-graduate research studies.

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