Compression map: Improved means for studying Carboniferous foliage

Authors

  • Erwin L. Zodrow Palaeobiology Laboratory, Cape Breton University, Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • Jose A. D'Angelo IANIGLA-CCT-CONICET-Mendoza, Avda. Ruiz Leal s/n Parque Gral. San Martín (5500) Mendoza, Argentina and Instituto de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, M5502JMA, Mendoza, Argentina

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4138/atlgeol.2013.006

Keywords:

Compression map, Carboniferous foliage, preservation quality

Abstract

A medullosalean-pteridosperm specimen, 22 cm long, from the Sydney Coalfield, Nova Scotia, Canada, illustrates the advantage of studying the fossilization history of compressed foliage freed from the rock matrix by hydrofluoric acid, as compared to the examination of compressions still in the rock matrix. The image of any freed frond segment of compression foliage that has been reprocessed digitally to represent its original structure is called a compression map. Interpretation of a compression map is reliant on a physicogeochemical model of preservation processes.

RÉSUMÉ

Un spécimen fossile d’une ptéridospermée du genre Medulossa mesurant 22 cm de longueur et excavé dans le bassin houiller de Sydney, en Nouvelle-Écosse (Canada), illustre bien l’avantage d’étudier l’histoire géologique de fossiles de feuilles extraits de la matrice rocheuse au moyen de l’acide fluorhydrique plutôt que d’examiner des compressions qui sont encore dans la matrice. On désigne carte de compression l’image d’un segment de fronde compressé extrait de la matrice dont on a fait l’extrapolation numérique pour voir sa structure originale. L’interprétation d’une carte de compression repose sur un modèle physicogéochimique des processus de préservation.

[Traduit par la redaction]

Author Biographies

Erwin L. Zodrow, Palaeobiology Laboratory, Cape Breton University, Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada

Palaeobiology Laboratory. Emeritus Professor of Geology

Jose A. D'Angelo, IANIGLA-CCT-CONICET-Mendoza, Avda. Ruiz Leal s/n Parque Gral. San Martín (5500) Mendoza, Argentina and Instituto de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, M5502JMA, Mendoza, Argentina

Chemistry Department. Assistant Professor

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Published

2013-08-14

How to Cite

Zodrow, E. L., & D’Angelo, J. A. (2013). Compression map: Improved means for studying Carboniferous foliage. Atlantic Geoscience, 49, 126–130. https://doi.org/10.4138/atlgeol.2013.006

Issue

Vol. 49 (2013)

Section

Notes

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