HOW TO MOUNT AN INEXPENSIVE SIEVING LAB

Abstract

We present a new sieving technique designed to recover microfossils from mudstones, clays and poorly consolidated sediments. This new technique is designed to be inexpensive, use the minimal amounts of chemicals and recover well preserved microfossils. The inexpensive nature of this methodology makes it suitable for reconnaissance studies, where finances may be limited. Not using large amounts of chemicals helps to protect the fossils and the environment. Investigations on the Jurassic Lourinhã Formation, Portugal yielded a diverse microfossil assemblage including; archosaur teeth, lizard jaws, amphibian jaws, fish remains, ostracods and charcoal. Such a diverse fossil recovery shows the technique is suitable for painstaking palaeoecological studies as well as reconnaissance work.