Sometimes Terry Hutter's work goes beyond rocks and fossils, windowless
laboratories and dusty field stations. Occasionally he's called upon to use
his palynological expertise in some high-profile situations. Often, these
cases have a lot riding on his knowledge and experience.
"I was consulted in the O.J. Simpson vs. the State of California murder
case concerning the recovery of micro-organics," says Hutter. Palynologists
deal with microscopic plant materials, like algae and pollen. Micro-organics
are unique to specific plants, trees, shrubs, weeds and grasses, and act as
their fingerprint.
Drive through any neighborhood and you'll see that each home and yard are
unique, with different vegetation, earth and landscaping.
"Now say [the police] capture a [suspect] who is suspected of committing
that crime. Fresh soil taken from shoes or clothes may indicate if that person
was the one who went through a specific window or flowerbed," says Hutter.
Hutter's information regarding the Simpson case wasn't presented in open
court because one side wouldn't accept the results. "U.S. case law and forensic
palynology are mountains that a few of us are just starting to climb."
There are other socially important scenarios that have employed Hutter's
talents. Recently, he studied a Jewish artifact to help establish its authenticity.
A specific incense (used to produce a fragrant odor when burned) described
in the Torah was thought to have been rediscovered.
"I was asked to describe the organic make-up of the discovered compound
to see if it could be the lost temple incense, Quetorit," says Hutter. "The
results were turned over to the chief rabbis as well as the State of Israel."
The diversity and intellectual challenge associated with science careers
is one of the major attractions of palynology and paleobotany. Scientists
are permitted to explore what interests them and are in a position to work
on several separate puzzles at once.
"It's an exploration of the unknown. It's the final frontier for the common
man," says Bruce Tiffany. "We're a strange bunch of hairless, erect apes --
we get into the [strangest] scrapes because of curiosity."
Without this curiosity, paleontologists would have never been able to interpret
past climates and learn of a probable asteroid impact on Earth. "The asteroid
model, in turn, stimulated thinking about the idea of a nuclear winter, and
had a serious impact on political thinking about the rapid development of
nuclear weapons," says Tiffany.
"Paleontology is the ability to poke and prowl in the earth and uncover
intellectual treasure, to have one's own private time machine, limited only
by the workday and your imagination and training," says Tiffany.
"It's fascinating and important precisely because it is unknown, because
we are using our uniquely human talents to understand the planet we live on,
and through that, our place in nature."
This understanding is vitally important as the past holds many clues for
predicting the future.
A good deal of Alwynne Beaudoin's research focuses on an era 6,000 years
ago when the climate in the prairies was warmer and drier than present. This
time interval is the best example we have of conditions in the region under
continued global warming.
"Increased lake salinity, lakes drying up, soil erosion and expansion of
the grasslands northwards have some very practical implications for land-use
planning," says Beaudoin.
Still, it appears that paleobotanists and palynologists are just scratching
the surface. "There's enough material here and interesting questions to keep
me going for 10 lifetimes," says Beaudoin. "This means there's still a place
for the individual researcher to make a contribution."
And it's the chance to make a contribution that drives these professionals.
"I take my energy from the 'Aha!' that occurs once every few months when I
overcome some aspect of my own ignorance and see something new," says Tiffany.
"I take equal pleasure from seeing a student express that same 'Aha!' experience
in a class, or while working on a research project with me."
Others, like Beaudoin, thrive on enlightening the public about their work.
"Watching the interest and wonder on people's faces when I'm giving a public
lecture -- they begin to realize that the past isn't closed or unknown, but
can be made real and comprehensible. We just have to learn how to read the
story."
The opportunity to visit exotic locations doesn't hurt, either. Nan Arens
loves splitting rocks on a stream bed in the Andes Mountains of South America
or climbing into a remote tropical rainforest and finding a new species of
fern.
Though often overwhelmed with paperwork, proposal writing and committee
responsibilities, most paleobotanists and palynologists find immense satisfaction
in their career. And while future opportunities may be limited, motivated
students will have a chance to make their contributions to paleontology.
"I wouldn't encourage anyone to go into this field unless they are so passionately
curious that they have to," says Arens. "Academics, and particularly the more
impacted fields like paleontology, require a tremendous amount of drive and
dedication. However, the rewards have been huge. I get paid to do what I love
-- who could ask for more?"