Beschreibung:
<jats:p>Abstract. Three disaggregation methods, i.e. Calgon, acetic acid and electric
pulse fragmentation (EPF), have been applied to a range of heavily
lithified, carbonate-rich sedimentary rock samples of Paleogene age. Samples
are predominantly from the carbonate-rich, shallow water domain (<250 m palaeo-water depth) of Tanzania, Malta and the United Arab Emirates
(Paleogene Tethys Ocean). The effectiveness and efficiency of each method
has been compared, in addition to the preservation of the resultant liberated
microfossil material (primarily larger foraminifera; LF). Of the three
methods, the most efficient and effective was EPF, which liberated the
largest number of LF in a very short processing time and resulted in the
best preservation. Samples with calcitic, silicic, and clay matrices and
cements were successfully disaggregated using EPF. In this study, recovered
microfossils were largely >500 µm, suggesting this
technique may be more appropriate for liberating larger microfossils (e.g.
LFs); however, we discuss nuances to the method that would allow for more
effective recovery of smaller microfossil specimens. The more traditional
acetic acid method was also able to disaggregate a number of the samples;
however, preservation of the LF was compromised. We suggest a best-practice
methodology for implementing EPF in micropalaeontological studies.
</jats:p>