SGER: Degradation of the Organic Matrix as a Measure of Alteration of Fossil Mollusk Shells

有机基质渗透在钙质结构中 外壳，包裹着单个晶体并将它们结合在一起 一起 它在扫描电子中基本上是看不见的 断裂髋臼杯切片的切割显微镜（SEM）， 作为一个结构性的组成部分很少受到关注。 是 在化石贝壳的埋藏学中很重要，只要它 原始的晶体结构得以保存。 确实存在一种技术用于SEM研究 有机基质与外壳微观结构的正常关系。 这包括切割，抛光和蚀刻一个截面， 壳，并通过以下方式将暴露的有机基质保持在适当的位置 临界点干燥 本项目将研究这种技术在 确定化石中有机基质的降解程度 软体动物 四个化石收藏将被检查， 代表方解石和文石在各种各样的 微观结构和在一定范围内的结晶质量。 如果 基质降解的测量可以提供一致的方法， 确定早期阶段的变化，在化石贝壳，它将 为埋藏学研究开辟了新的途径， 化石地球化学研究的支持数据来源。

The organic matrix permeates the structure of calcareous shells, enveloping the individual crystals and binding them together. It is essentially invisible in the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of cut of fractured shell sections, and has received little attention as a structural component. It is important in the taphonomy of fossil shells, for as long as it remains intact the original crystallography is preserved. One technique does exist for the SEM investigation of the organic matrix in its normal relationship to shell microstructure. This involves cutting, polishing, and etching a section through the shell, and preserving the exposed organic matrix in place by critical point drying. This project will examine the utility of this technique in determining the degree of degradation of organic matrix in fossil mollusks. Four collections of fossils will be examined, representing both calcite and aragonite in a variety of microstructures and over a range of preservational quality. If measures of matrix degradation can provide a consistent means of determining early stages of alteration in fossil shells, it will open up new avenues of study in the field of taphonomy, and provide a source of supporting data for studies on fossil geochemistry.