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Use of EDTA for palynomorph extraction from evaporites

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 July 2015

Bruce F. Rueger*
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, Colby College, Waterville, Maine 04901

Extract

Presence of palynomorph assemblages that display exquisite preservation in evaporite deposits makes them invaluable as age indicators, as often no other fossils are present. However, such use of palynomorphs has been extremely limited because of complications in extraction from the surrounding rock material. Palynomorphs found in evaporites frequently cannot be removed by conventional uses of hydrofluoric and hydrochloric acids, or by modifications of these techniques (Sittler, 1955; Freudenthal, 1964; and Visscher, 1966), as neither acid is capable of removing significant quantities of sulfate minerals. Inadequate removal of these minerals prevents a good concentration of spores and pollen and hinders the preparation of useful microscope slide mounts.

Type
Paleontological Notes
Copyright
Copyright © The Journal of Paleontology 

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References

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