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Abstract

Centrifuge techniques play an important role in microfossil separation and concentration procedures. A wide variety of microfossil groups, particularly the smaller specimens, utilize procedures involving this specialized equipment (see sections 25 EXTRACTION TECHNIQUES FOR PALAEOBOTANICAL AND PALYNOLOGICAL MATERIAL, 26 EXTRACTION TECHNIQUES FOR ACID INSOLUBLE MICROFOSSILS and 33 EXTRACTION TECHNIQUES FOR CALCAREOUS NANNOFOSSILS). An application is also described for the concentration of live foraminiferal cultures, when it is essential to retain all specimen tests (Arnold 1965b). The purpose of this section is twofold; firstly to briefly outline the many uses of the centrifuge within micropalaeontology, and secondly to provide a practical data base of information relating particle size to centrifuge times at varying speeds using heavy liquids (e.g. bromoform), and centrifuge washing times in either water or acetone for use with the K-factor (centrifuge constant).

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© 2001 Owen R. Green

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Green, O.R. (2001). Centrifuge Techniques Used in Micropalaeontology. In: A Manual of Practical Laboratory and Field Techniques in Palaeobiology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-0581-3_17

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-0581-3_17

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-90-481-4013-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-017-0581-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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