Progressive Palaeontology 2020

A couple of years ago discussion came up as to how electrodynamic fragmentation might be able to improve the liberation and recovery of microfossils from rock. Typically, these delicate fossils such as foraminaifer are damaged when the rock is crushed, or if other methods such as chemical dissolution or freeze-thaw is used, the fossils themselves are dosiolved or chemically altered, not to mention taking several days.

Speaking with a Dr Kate Littler and Charlotte Beasley, a lecturer and PhD student respectively, at the Camborne School of Mines, part of the University of Exeter, we set about on a small project: we crushed indurated limestones in the Selfrag Lab system and successfully recovered forams. The project was such a success on a small scale that we immediately followed up with additional rock types and sized of foram. Fast forward to 2020 and these results are being presented this month at the Progressive Palaeontology conference (ProgPal2020) at the University of Leeds.

For the first time, Prog.Pal. will be a virtual conference, in light of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, taking place entirely online via discord and Zoom. Nevertheless, there is a poster session and opportunity to interact with presenters.

Progressive Palaentology 2020 Programme.

If you’re inetersted in ongoing novel research in palaeontology, then consider registering for the event here, and make sure you check out Charlotte’s poster and ask her questions.

Abstract for Beasley et al., 2020, Prog.Pal.

The poster will be available online after the conference, and this post will be updated with a link, check back later to access it!

Thanks for reading and see you next time.

-LM