A Manual of Practical Laboratory and Field Techniques in Palaeobiology PDF
Preview A Manual of Practical Laboratory and Field Techniques in Palaeobiology
A MANUAL OF PRACTICAL LABORATORY AND FIELD TECHNIQUES IN PALAEOBIOLOGY A Manual of Practical Laboratory and Field Techniques in Palaeobiology by Owen R. Green Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, United Kingdom SPRINGER-SCIENCE+BUSINESS MEDIA, B.V. Owen A manual of practicallaboratory and field techniques in palaeobiology / by Owen R. Green. 0m. "-",,,,,,,,",'"'' f;110i10gJ:aP,fl1Cal references f1lnd index. ISBN 978-90-481-4013-8 ISBN 978-94-017-0581-3 (eBook) DOI 10.1007/978-94-017-0581-3 f1l1eOOYYY1y)gy .. -r,j,0121l0(14:>10jllj- imlzjZX)Ok:S, manuals, etc. 1. Title. 9,8 2001 78~-dc21 2001023212 ISBN 978-90-481-4013-8 P,in;;ed an ncid-fre, paper ""'"",,,'r resin impregnated and prepared surface of a piston scattered bi valve enolluscan fragments and seagrass titic carbonatc: mud, IIolocene, Tavemier mud mound, Florida Keys, D.S.A. AII Rights Resenved 2001 (j'Nen R. (ireen Originally published by Kluwer Academic Publishers in 2001 No part of the material pmtected DT 11 i ilized inc!c:ding n"I,IC\{'"n" retrieval system, For Jane. Alex. Caitlin and Leonie. To the memory of S.T.R. A technique may require one or more procedures. that are performed using a variety of methods comprising numerous stages. Acknowledgements This manual has been influenced by my association, initially as a student and latterly as a member of staff, with undergraduate courses at South London College and the Universities of London and Oxford. To the lecturing, research and technical staffs, undergraduate and post graduate students who have tutored, discussed and influenced methodology with me, I am eternally grateful. I am particularly indebted to friends and colleagues at South London College, Tony Grindrod, Brian Hunt, Lindzi and Richard Marsh, Steve Rye and Alec Quarterman for enthusiastically introducing me to geological specimen preparation techniques. While in the Department of Geology at Goldsmiths' College (University of London) Dan Bosence, Derek Briggs and Andy Johnstone encouraged the demonstration and application of palaeontological preparation procedures in undergraduate courses. For the opportunity to practice established and develop new techniques I am thankful. This opportunity continued in the Department of Earth Sciences at Oxford University in establishing the Palaeobiology Laboratories and assisting Martin Brasier and Bob Spicer. The latter to whom I am particularly grateful for encouraging me in pursuing the publication of this work, following its early draft as a laboratory manual. I am also indebted to Steve Packer for discussions on numerous preparation techniques, and their application in the commercial sector. Numerous commercial technical experts from industrial chemical and laboratory equipment suppliers have freely provided data and information relating to the use of their products. The editorial staff, initially at Chapman and Hall and latterly at Kluwer Academic Publishers, have been supportive, encouraging, helpful and sympathetic in allowing me to develop and pursue this project, particularly as it has grown in complexity. In particular I am grateful to the editorial contributions of Ruth Cripwell, Ian Francis, Jane Plowman, Petra van Steenbergen, Manja Fredriksz and Donna Lynch for providing the final encouragement in the conclusion of this project. Finally, I would like to thank my wife Jane for continued emotional support and encouragement, and in undertaking proof reading of the entire manuscript, and finally to my children, for allowing me a few quiet minutes during the evening and at weekends, and posing the most searching question -why? vii FOREWORD The user This manual is designed for the use of geo-scientists with an interest and need in developing palaeobiological materials as a potential source of data. To meet this objective practical procedures have been formatted for use by both professional and semi professional students with an initial understanding of palaeo biological research aims as a primary source of scientific data. I have attempted to provide an explanation and understanding of practical procedures which may be required by students undertaking palaeobiological projects as part of a degree course. The layout of this manual should be particularly beneficial in the instruction and training of geotechnologists and museum preparators. Graduate students and scientists requiring an outline of a preparation procedure will also be able to use the manual as a reference from which to assess the suitability of a procedure. This manual is also intended for use by the "committed amateur". Many of the techniques described in this manual have been devised by non-palaeontologists, and developed from methods used in archaeology, zoology and botany, as well as other areas of geology. A considerable number of the methods can be undertaken by the amateur, and in the case of many of the field procedures, should be used. This will ensure that specimens and samples can be conserved in such a manner as to facilitate any later research, and not invalidate the results of subsequent geochemical analytical techniques which might be employed. Despite this manual covering a wide range of field and laboratory techniques used by palaeobiologists, it is by no means exhaustive. Although a large number of modifications to standard techniques are included, most local customising of methods has been omitted. A large part of this omission I readily accept as ignorance on my behalf of such modifications. The control and availability of chemicals, equipment and products within local markets, or the implementation of health and safety regulations and by-laws may also effect how procedures are undertaken in different countries. The manual's scope The systematic approach to procedures adopted in this manual is biased towards my own personal interests. Methods are, however, not mutually exclusive to the headings under which they described or assigned. In adopting this approach I have attempted to provide the user with the optimum pathway in determining a suitable technique. It is hoped that this format and numerous cross-referencing to related methods will assist the novice, while more experienced preparators will have attention focused to a specific procedure. Following a short introductory section outlining practical procedures, emphasis is placed on documentation and record keeping. The bulk of this manual, the practical procedures employed by preparators and geotechnologists, are broadly divisible into one of two sections, (i) field techniques, and (ii) laboratory techniques. Within the first section, field collecting methodology and aspects of site and specimen conservation are outlined, prior to more detailed laboratory preparation. To assist in recent approaches to morphological and taphonomical studies, procedures for the collection and preservation of live zoological material are also included. Semi-quantitative determinations of the two ix x principle biominerals (calcite and phosphate) are also described, although as stated above, these techniques are not exclusive to field use. Procedures used in specimen stabilization and replication, prior to packaging and removal to the laboratory are also discussed. The third section of the manual covers fundamental laboratory procedures. Success within this area will be considerably enhanced in a well designed laboratory, implementing the highest safety considerations. Prior to preparation the stabilization methods, including those used in the preparation of recent (living) specimens is described. The bulk of this manual is then devoted to describing in detail the wide array of physical and chemical techniques commonly used in palaeontology. Following the successful preparation of specimens and materials, some consideration is given to selected analytical procedures, in particular electron microscopy and x-radiography. Geochemical analytical procedures are not discussed, as to do this sub-discipline justice a companion volume would be required. In conclusion I thought it fitting to leave prepared specimens suitable for display. The final chapters of this manual are devoted to replication, conventional photographic techniques and a brief outline of procedures used in the display and illustration of prepared specimens. How to use the manual Following the initial stages of collecting and stabilization, the preparator is required to identify those techniques specific to preparing the fossil group of interest. Methods outlined in this manual provide a means of fulfilling this objective. Two complimentary approaches have been adopted in detailing the methods within the manual. Methods described as physical procedures have been grouped according to subject area or the fossil group to which they are most applicable, and where chemical methods are supplementary or of secondary importance. Within this part, methods have been detailed by subject, from which it will be appreciated that applications can be adapted for work on any fossil group supported within a matrix of known composition or degree of induration. The second part, concentrating on chemical procedures is more specific in application to fossils or matrices of a known composition, reflecting preservational differences. This approach is particularly critical in processing for microfossils, where the small specimen size may inhibit direct, constant monitoring of chemical effects on the organisms shell so readily evident in macrofossil preparation. Consequently many microfossil extraction techniques are protracted and more complex than those employed in macrofossil preparation. I make no apology for an apparent bias towards the processing of samples for microfossils. I have always found it more convenient to modify a technique towards the extraction of macrofossils than vice versa. Many of the techniques described in these sections (e.g. palynological, palaeobotanical and acid insoluble procedures) may appear superficially similar to one another. However, subtle differences are detailed at critical parts of each the procedure. This, inevitably, results in some repetition, but has been purposely retained to ensure each section provides a stand-alone description and explanation of the technique. However, where the repetition of a procedure is considered superfluous to the understanding and continuity of the technique, it has been omitted. If a specialized procedure has been detailed elsewhere, cross reference is made. Experienced preparators will be familiar with these procedures, and understand the significance of the stage. Once preparators are familiar with the methods and procedures outlined, reference need only be Xl made to the accompanying flow charts. These have been designed to show the relationships between the methods and stages comprising the technique. The manuals layout is designed to answer two questions posed by potential users: • how can I do this ....... ? want to examinl' a known COlmpGiR this rock. The lmd Chemical FurtheuHoiGc lllmlGquences of the direGtly during TechnoloY1Gui in other scientific disciplines, and subsequently applied to palaeobiology will doubtless improve methods of examining and recording palaeobiological data. Furthermore, to fully appreciate our palaeontological heritage, in an age when it is increasingly difficult to collect a new data set from the field, consideration must be given to the correct preparation of specimens within existing collections. I sincerely hope that this manual will assistance to YGrrorming this task years. Holt, O.R.G. ApnI, A MANUAL OF PRACTICAL LABORA TORY AND FIELD TECHNIQUES IN PALAEOBIOLOGY CONTENTS Acknowledgements vii Foreword ix I. INTRODUCTION 1 Palaeontological Techniques -an introduction to practical procedures 2 2 Documentation in the Laboratory 12 II. FIELD TECHNIQUES 3 Field collecting procedures 20 4 Collecting techniques for microfossil and live foraminifera 27 5 Consolidation, stabilization and replication techniques 43 6 Field staining techniques for determining calcite, dolomite and phosphate 55 7 Field documentation, sample packing and transportation 59 III. LABORATORY TECHNIQUES A. INTRODUCTION 8 Laboratory design and layout 64 9 Safety in the laboratory 68 10 Preservation, consolidation and repair of unstable specimens 82 11 Preparation of recent material for comparative studies 98 B. PHYSICAL PROCEDURES 12 Mechanical methods for preparing fossil specimens 110 13 Fossil extraction techniques by thermal disintegration 120 14 Disaggregation and dispersal of partially consolidated and unconsolidated sediments 127 15 Microfossil sample contamination and reliability problems 138 16 Washing and sieving techniques used in micropalaeontology 146 17 Centrifuge techniques used in micropalaeontology 154 18 Mechanical separation of microfossil residues 160 19 Flotation and liquid separation techniques 168 20 Thin section and slide preparation techniques of macro and microfossil.specimens 182 21 Staining techniques used in micropalaeontology 211 22 Preparation of carbonate stained acetate peels and thin sections 219 23 Preparation of amber specimens containing fossils 234 24 Preparation and conservation of vertebrate fossils 242 C. CHEMICAL PROCEDURES 25 Extraction techniques for palaeobotanical and palynological material 256 26 Extraction techniques for acid insoluble microfossils 288 27 Extraction techniques for phosphatic fossils 318 28 Extraction techniques for uncrushed graptolites 331 xiii xiv 29 Extraction techniques for calcareous microfossils from argillaceous sediments 334 30 Extraction techniques for calcareous microfossils from carbonate sediments 342 31 Extraction techniques for agglutinated foraminifera from calcareous sediments 350 32 Specialist techniques used in the preparation of individual microfossil specimens 355 33 Extraction techniques for calcareous nannofossils 366 D. ANALYTICAL PROCEDURES 34 Electron microscopy techniques 376 35 X-radiography techniques 391 E. EXHIBITION OF FOSSIL MATERIAL 36 Fossil replication techniques 400 37 Photomacrography and photomicrography techniques 418 38 lllustrating and exhibiting for display and publication 441 REFERENCES 450 APPENDIX 1 Equipment and chemical suppliers 490 2 Describing sedimentary rocks and fossils 498 3 Centrifuge times for bromoform separation and water/acetone residue washing 503 4 Hazard symbols 506 5 Respirator and filter cartridge colour coding 507 6 Fire extinguisher classification 507 7 Laboratory glove resistance properties 508 8 Care and handling of hydrofluoric acid 511 9 Spillage and disposal of unwanted chemicals 514 10 Conversion data 515 (i) Temperature (ii) Weight (iii) Volume (iv) Length 11 Formulae for the preparation of standard solutions 516 (i) Weight % (w/w) (ii) Volume % (v/v) (iii) WeightIVolume % (w/v) (iv) Mole Fraction (v) Standard solutions INDEXS 517 Author Index 517 Subject Index 528 Chemical Index 534
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