2 replies to this topic

[Jeff Lee]

Anyone have an idea what this item is?

567 nm in length, 5 mpx camera.

 

Eocene, Keasey Formation

[AstroBrett]

If you are talking about the long extended object in the center, that is an organic fiber such as cellulose from a plant. It is not a microfossil. It is probably a contaminant onto your sample, since I often see them, and they are ubiquitous in air samples taken near vegetated areas.. 

 

Brett

[Jeff Lee]

This was inside mudstone from the Keasey Formation. Deep water 1000 to >10,000' sample and from inside the matrix that contained it. My tools are washed after each matrix removal from specimens. Quite possible it is what you see, but from inside 32-40 Ma mudstone makes me even more curious now. Thank you for your reply, I'll start looking for samples of plant materials on my matrix's as I remove them. Obviously 567nm is pretty small, I use a compound microscope with a powerful video light to illuminate the slides.