Northeast Ohio 11/2 Lepidodendron?

[saysac]

Is this considered Lepidodendron? Also, I posted the question before but did not receive any reply. What causes the greenish jue on some of the fossils>

[Auspex]

Nice, big Lepidodendron branch!

As to the coloration, I do not know, but obviously the minerals present in the mud must play a role. Maybe some chemical byproducts from the breakdown of organic material too. Do you ever notice a petroleum odor when you're splitting the shale?

[saysac]

No Auspex, I have not noticed any odor.

[Stocksdale]

The red color on many of your specimens is due to Iron. I assume the green might be some other minerals, maybe copper? But really I'm not sure.

It does make them very strikingly, nice looking !!!

Edited November 3, 2015 by Stocksdale

[Fossildude19]

I am not a geologist by any stretch, ... but I will offer up a theory on the green coloration.

In shales in my area, I have noticed the greenish color around some plant matter that can also have pyrite on/near them.

I am thinking it is a mineral stain/build up/conglomeration of some pyrite forming mineral.

Perhaps something about the chemical/mineral make up of the matrix mixing with the carbonaceous films may cause the greenish hue.

Regards,

[saysac]

Thank you Tim, and I thank you for your thoughts on this. It makes me nervous when I hear pyrite though, for I had found some pyrite in wood at another location in Ohio and ended up throwing it all out due to pyrite rot.

[Fossildude19]

Thank you Tim, and I thank you for your thoughts on this. It makes me nervous when I hear pyrite though, for I had found some pyrite in wood at another location in Ohio and ended up throwing it all out due to pyrite rot.

Sherry,

You can mitigate the effects of pyrite disease by keeping the fossils in a dry/air-tight place - like a tupperware container, with some dessicant added to the container.

Moisture is the enemy here.

Here is some light reading for you .

LINK 1

LINK 2

LINK 3

Regards,

[saysac]

Thank you again Tim, and I do remember this when I talked about my fish fossil, so will need to get that in a container when I get it back. But.....it is impossible to get the others into any secure moisture free environment, so...... I pray they do not contain pyrite, but some other mineral that is not harmful.

[Stocksdale]

I think most of your fossils are fine and appear to be in very inert mudstone/siltstone.

Some fossils I've gotten from coal mines had a very reactive pyrite component and a strong smell like fireworks (sulfur). These are ones that are troublesome and can start deteriorating. I don't think this is the case with most of yours. However, keeping special specimens extra dry would always be good and safer.

According to geology papers, the "Sharon Conglomerate", the rock layer containing your fossils is on top of a small bed called "Harrison Ore". I wonder if the reds and greens are partly from metals from that ore layer.

So, see if you smell anything odd from your fossil (sulfur/firework smell).

I smelled the few samples I have from your location and they just smell like normal rock/shale to me

Edited November 4, 2015 by Stocksdale

[saysac]

Good to know Paul. I will try not to let anyone see me sniffing my fossils though :-)

[Fossildude19]

Good to know Paul. I will try not to let anyone see me sniffing my fossils though :-)

[Auspex]

I love the smell of shale in the morning...

[saysac]

Auspex, I think you have been doing a bit too much sniffing. I will stick with smelling the aroma of my fresh home roasted coffee....yum!