References

Journal of Micropalaeontology

J. Micropalaeontol.

2041-4978

GSL Publishing

Göttingen, Germany

10.1144/jm.10.2.121

On the use of some phosphates in the preparation of ostracod shells

Kontrovitz

Mervin

⁰ Slack

Jerry Marie

¹ Yuhong

Zhao

Department of Geosciences, Northeast Louisiana Univ., Monroe, Louisiana, U.S.A. 71209

Bossier Parish Community College, Bossier City, Louisiana, U.S.A. 71111

Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China

01 12 1991

10 2 121 126

1991

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Common preparation techniques for ostracods include the use of water-softeners containing sodium hexametaphosphate and/or sodium tripolyphosphate, to disaggregate sediments. Here, ostracod shells were treated with phosphatic water-softener in tap and distilled water. Concentrations as low as 2.5% in as little as six hours caused significant damage. The worst damage occurred in concentrations of water-softener at the middle of the range used (0 – 20%). Alteration could be misinterpreted as taphonomic. Taxa are not equally resistant and assemblages could be altered, leading to erroneous conclusions about diversity, dominance, and differential transport.

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