MICRO- FOSSIL

WORK- SHOP

Well, we didn't see any dinosaurs, micro or otherwise, at the recent Workshop on microfossils held at Reading University, but it proved an ideal follow-up to the LV Martin lecture on imaging microfossils by Dr MacLeod at the Natural History Museum.

16 people turned up at the Food Technology Deparartment of Reading University, for 'An Introduction to Microfossils' given by Adrian Rundle, assisted by Dennis Fullwood, with much credit due to Kit Brownlee, who, being on the staff of the University was able to ensure an adequate supply of tea, coffee and biscuits throughout the day. Many people bought their own instruments, but the Department was able to equip those who hadn't with stereo microscopes. On a personal note I was delighted with the performance of my cheap (but well-made) ex-Open University stereo and an attached high intensity white LED lamp. You don't have to spend a fortune to be able to do some serious microscopy!

Adrian started by explaining exactly what a microfossil was, and showed us the techniques for separating the fossils from their substrate and the various sieves and equipment he used. Different types of rock demanded different treatments: some of the harder rocks require robust techniques including the use of hydrofluoric acid - possibly one of the most dangerous chemicals around, since it can eat its way through glass! However it is often the best way of removing some mineral content, but a lot can be achieved with formic or acetic acid.

Fortunately unconsolidated clays, silts are fairly easy to process, with limestones and chalks not far behind.

Adrian had bought along a number of pairs of slides. Each slide contained 32 microfossils of different type, so that we had plenty of oportunity to examine and identify the type of fossil he was describing. Many of these were rather beautiful, as witness the two on the left.

Adrian spent the morning describing the techniques and different types of microfossil, and also the best method of mounting them. We then had a break for lunch. Most had bought a packed lunch with them, but Kit Brownlee (on the staff of the University) ensured that there was plenty of free coffee, tea and biscuits.

The afternoon became a 'do it yourself' session; Adrian had bought along a large number of sieved and filtered and cleaned specimens, together with numbered slides. He showed us how to coat the slide with gum tragacanth, and then use a moistened fine brush to pick out the fossil and place it on the coated slide. It was fun trying to identify the fossils in the deposits he bought along. I chose Jurassic material from Rodden Hive in Dorset, on the principle that even if I couldn't find a miniature T.rex, at least some of the remains of the animals I looked at were contemporaneous with it!

On the right Adrian is identifying some of Tony Jarrett's mounts, while Tony makes a note of them for future reference

All in all this was a thoroughly enjoyable day, and our thanks are due to Allan Brinkworth, our business secretary, Dennis Fullwood who assisted Alan, Kit Brownlee whose association with the University was so helpful, and above all, Alan Rundle who literally opened our eyes to a fascinating aspect of microscopy that most of us knew little about!