Abstract
Electron microscopy was applied to the study of 1 billion-year-old microfossils from northwest Scotland in order to investigate their 3D morphology and mode of fossilization. 3D-FIB-SEM revealed high quality preservation of organic cell walls with only minor amounts of post-mortem decomposition, followed by variable degrees of morphological alteration (folding and compression of cell walls) during sediment compaction. EFTEM mapping plus SAED revealed a diverse fossilizing mineral assemblage including K-rich clay, Fe-Mg-rich clay and calcium phosphate, with each mineral occupying specific microenvironments in proximity to carbonaceous microfossil cell walls. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Journal of Physics: Conference Series |
Place of Publication | United Kingdom |
Publisher | IOP Publishing |
Pages | 1-4 |
Volume | 522 |
ISBN (Print) | 17426588 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2014 |
Event | Electron microscopy reveals unique microfossil preservation in 1 billion-year-old lakes - York, United Kingdom Duration: 1 Jan 2014 → … |
Conference
Conference | Electron microscopy reveals unique microfossil preservation in 1 billion-year-old lakes |
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Period | 1/01/14 → … |