Disaggregated indurated carbonate samples using Calgon, acetic acid and electric pulse fragmentation

Samples are predominantly from the carbonate-rich, shallow water domain (< 250m 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.