A Manual of Practical Laboratory and Field Techniques in Palaeobiology

About this book

The collection and preparation of palaeontological samples requires special techniques, all of which are documented in this manual. It provides information on the collection and preparation of material and a comprehensive database of the techniques used. Contents: field techniques; physical procedures; chemical procedures; analytical procedures; exhibition of fossil material.

Contents

Acknowledgements. Foreword. I: Introduction. 1. Palaeontological Techniques -- an introduction to practical procedures. 2. Record Keeping in the Laboratory. II: Field Techniques. 3. Field collecting procedures. 4. Collecting techniques for microfossil and live foraminifera samples. 5. Consolidation, stabilization and replication techniques. 6. Field staining techniques for determining calcite, dolomite and phosphate. 7. Field documentation, sample packing and transportation. III: Laboratory Techniques. A: Introduction. 8. Laboratory design and layout. 9. Safety in the laboratory. 10. Preservation, consolidation and repair of unstable specimens. 11. Preparation of recent material for comparative studies. B: Physical Procedures. 12. Mechanical methods for preparing fossil specimens. 13. Fossil extraction techniques by thermal disintegration. 14. Disaggregation and dispersal of partially consolidated and unconsolidated sediments. 15. Microfossil sample contamination and reliability problems. 16. Washing and sieving techniques used in micropalaeontology. 17. Centrifuge techniques used in micropalaeontology. 18. Mechanical separation of microfossil residues. 19. Flotation and liquid separation techniques. 20. Thin section and slide preparation techniques of macro and microfossil specimens. 21. Staining techniques used in micropalaeontology. 22. Preparation of carbonate stained acetate peels and thin sections. 23. Preparation of amber specimens containing fossils. 24. Preparation and conservation of vertebrate fossils. C: Chemical Procedures. 25. Extraction techniques for palaeobotanical and palynological material. 26. Extraction techniques for acid insoluble microfossils. 27. Extraction techniques for phosphatic fossils. 28. Extraction techniques for uncrushed graptolites. 29. Extraction techniques for calcareous microfossils from argillaceous sediments. 30. Extraction techniques for calcareous microfossils from carbonate sediments. 31. Extraction techniques for agglutinated foraminifera from calcareous sediments. 32. Specialist techniques used in the preparation of individual microfossil specimens. 33. Extraction techniques for calcareous nannofossils. D: Analytical Procedures. 34. Electron microscopy techniques. 35. X-radiography techniques. E. Exhibition of Fossil Material. 36. Fossil replication techniques. 37. Photomacrography and photomicrography techniques. 38. Illustrating and exhibiting for display and publication. References. Appendices. Indexes.

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