A Manual Of Practical Laboratory And Field Techniques In Palaeobiology

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.

The understanding of Earth processes and environments over geological time is highly dependent upon both the experience that can only be gained through doing fieldwork, and the collection of reliable data and appropriate samples in the field. This textbook explains the main data gathering techniques used by geologists in the field and the reasons for these, with emphasis throughout on how to make effective field observations and record these in suitable formats. Equal weight is given to assembling field observations from igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rock types. There are also substantial chapters on producing a field notebook, collecting structural information, recording fossil data and constructing geological maps. The volume is in a robust and handy size, with colour coded chapters for ease of use and quick reference in the field. Geological Field Techniques is designed for students, amateur enthusiasts and professionals who have a background in geology and wish to collect field data on rocks and geological features. Teaching aspects of this textbook include: step-by-step guides to essential practical skills such as using a compass-clinometer, making a geological map and drawing a field sketch; tricks of the trade, checklists, flow charts and short worked examples; over 200 illustrations of a wide range of field notes, maps and geological features; appendices with the commonly used rock description and classification diagrams; a supporting website hosted by Wiley Blackwell. ~

Integration of ichnological information into sedimentological models, and vice versa, is one of the main means by which we can improve our understanding of ancient depositional environments. Mainly intended for sedimentologists, this book aims to make ichnological methods as part of facies interpretation more popular, providing an analytical review of the ichnology of all major depositional environments and the use of ichnology in biostratigraphic and sequence stratigraphic analysis. It starts with an introduction to the historical aspect of ichnology, introducing common concepts and methods, and then continues with parts treating the main depositional systems from continental, shallow-marine and deep-marine siliciclastics, and marine carbonates. The last part is dedicated to the ichnology in hydrocarbon reservoir and aquifer characterization. First overview in 25 years of the status of ichnological studies in facies reconstructions of all major depositional environments Written by a selected, well-experienced and specialized international authorship Provides easy access to the comprehensive and widespread literature

This long-awaited book about non-pollen palynomorphs (NPPs) aims to cover gaps in our knowledge of these abundant but understudied palynological remains. NPPs, such as fungal spores, testate amoebae, dinoflagellate cysts, acritarchs and animal remains, are routinely recovered from palynological preparations of marine or terrestrial material, from Proterozoic to recent geological times. This book gives the reader a comprehensive overview of the different types of NPPs, with examples from diverse time periods and environments. It provides guidance on sample preparation to maximize the recovery of these NPPs, detailed information on their diversity and ecological affinity, clarification on the nomenclature and demonstrates their value as environmental indicators. This volume will become the reference guide for any student, academic or practitioner interested in everything else in their palynological preparations.

A proper understanding of the structural organization of the plant body is essential to any study in plant biology. Experimental studies in vivo and in situ will lead to structural, physiological, and cellular changes of the experimental material. To study macroscopic and microscopic changes, different histological methods and microtechniques can be used as they provide valuable information of the experimental system. In addition, the observed structural changes allow investigators to set hypothesis for further studies based on one’s own observation. Thus, proper selection and utilization of microtechniques are a must for the success of a research program. At present, an up-to-date collection of protocols are not readily available in the literature. The latest work in plant microtechniques was published in 1999 by Ruzin but many others are no longer in print [e.g., Jensen (1964); O’Brien and McCully (1981)]. Furthermore, a majority of published works focus on techniques related to general processing and staining procedures. A comprehensive treatment that encompasses broader applications of microtechniques to other disciplines is lacking [e.g., archeology, wood science, etc.]. There is a need to create a comprehensive volume of botanical methods and protocols which includes traditional and novel techniques that can be used by researchers in plant science and investigators in other disciplines that require plant microtechniques in their research and teaching. This book covers a wide variety of applications and brings them up-to-date to make them understandable and relevant, especially to students using the methods for the first time. It is our intention to create a useful reference for plant histology and related methods that will serve as a foundation for plant scholars, researchers, and teachers in the plant sciences.​

During the last decade, software developments in Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) provoked a notable increase of applications to the study of solid matter. The mineral liberation analysis (MLA) of processed metal ores was an important drive for innovations that led to QEMSCAN, MLA and other software platforms. These combine the assessment of the backscattered electron (BSE) image to the directed steering of the electron beam for energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) to automated mineralogy. However, despite a wide distribution of SEM instruments in material research and industry, the potential of SEM automated mineralogy is still under-utilised. The characterisation of primary ores, and the optimisation of comminution, flotation, mineral concentration and metallurgical processes in the mining industry by generating quantified data, is still the major application field of SEM automated mineralogy. However, there is interesting potential beyond these classical fields of geometallurgy and metal ore fingerprinting. Slags, pottery and artefacts can be studied in an archeological context for the recognition of provenance and trade pathways; soil, and solid particles of all kinds, are objects in forensic science. SEM automated mineralogy allows new insight in the fields of process chemistry and recycling technology.

Photography is the primary tool for visually documenting specimens, experimental findings and laboratory setups in many scientific fields. Photographic illustrations in these fields must satisfy criteria of clarity, objectivity and adherence to accepted standards, in addition to a pleasant but not distracting composition and illumination. This book concentrates on the choice and practical use of digital cameras, lenses and related equipment of types commonly available at research institutions and museums. The described techniques are suitable for subject sizes between approximately half a millimeter and half a meter, and differ from those used in general photography and microscopy. The intended audience of this book includes professional scientific photographers, scientists and students who need to carry out photography in support of their own research or as part-time scientific photographers at a research institution, and advanced amateur photographers who wish to master these techniques.