Taphonomic impact of ultrasonic treatment on foraminifera from a deep-sea carbonate ooze

Van Bael, Rik; Deprez, Arne; Stassen, Peter; Bornemann, André; Speijer, Robert P.

doi:https://doi.org/10.1144/jmpaleo2015-046

Articles | Volume 35, issue 2

J. Micropalaeontol., 35, 229–231, 2016

https://doi.org/10.1144/jmpaleo2015-046

© Author(s) 2016. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

J. Micropalaeontol., 35, 229–231, 2016

https://doi.org/10.1144/jmpaleo2015-046

© Author(s) 2016. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Articles | Volume 35, issue 2

24 Jul 2016

Taphonomic impact of ultrasonic treatment on foraminifera from a deep-sea carbonate ooze

Rik Van Bael¹, Arne Deprez¹, Peter Stassen¹, André Bornemann², and Robert P. Speijer¹ Rik Van Bael et al.

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¹Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200E, B3001 Heverlee, Belgium
²Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe, Stilleweg 2, 30655 Hannover, Germany

Received: 23 Dec 2015 – Accepted: 25 Jan 2016 – Published: 24 Jul 2016

Abstract. The selection and identification of foraminifera in chalky, partially silicified sediments can be problematic, as was experienced with upper Danian (Paleocene) samples from Newfoundland Ridge (IODP Expedition 342 Site 1407). Ultrasound treatment can potentially improve the liberation and identification of foraminifera by removing fine-grained material from the tests, leading to reduced processing time. However, this process is potentially destructive and can alter the composition of foraminiferal assemblages by reducing fragile taxa from the record, similar to the effects of dissolution (Nguyen et al. 2011).