Taxonomic composition and biostratigraphic value of the.
Microfossils are made of the remains of tiny organisms or parts of organisms. They are so small that they can only be seen with a microscope, but. for Teachers for Schools for Working Scholars.The study of microfossils is important as it helps to understand the earth and its history. Of course, it's useful for the oil industry. Other industries that also use information from microfossils are the mining, engineering, geology, and environmental industries.Microfossils are the remains of tiny animals and plants found in rocks and sediment. They are very small and can be measured in millimetres (most are smaller than a pinhead). Scientists use microscopes to study them. Most of the paleontologists (geologists who study fossils) working in New Zealand study microfossils.
What are microfossils? Fossil specimens can be divided into one of two categories, macrofossils and microfossils. Macrofossils may be held in the hand and examined with nothing more than a good hand lens. Microfossils are very small and require a microscope to view them effectively.Watton Cliff, part of West Cliff at West Bay and is an excellent location for collecting microfossils. While the site is also very rich in other fossils (such as brachiopods, crinoids, fish, sharks’ teeth, crocodiles, amphibians and plants), this guide concentrates more on the microfossils, including small mammals, fish, reptiles and ostracods, which are well preserved and abundant.
Of course individual examination of separated microfossils and nannofossils can be undertaken by crushing, sieving, decanting and treatment with various chemicals, of the original rocks. These procedures are certainly very useful for the classification of many microfossils.
