A different way to look at micro fossils

[The QCC]

I received two slabs of matrix from the Hungry Hollow Arkona formation from Bob O'Donnell. Bob said I could do whatever I wanted with the slabs.
The slabs have hundreds of little fossils embedded in them. All of them impossible for me to extract from the matrix.
My hobby is looking at things and making thin sections to view through a microscope. The slabs were much too large to place on the microscope stand so I cut the slabs into small and smaller sections.

This presentation shows six small pieces from (Slab 1) where both sides were ground and polished to a very smooth finish.
The photos clearly show small fossils in  an  3D look, even though the surface is flat to 50 microns.
The photos were taken with a Canon 1000D DSLR and a Zeiss Stemi 305 microscope.
The next phase with these pieces is to grind off  a few millimeters and polish to expose new shapes.
A web page with larger photos may be viewed here.   Right click and open in a new window

Slab 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 9, 2017 by The QCC
Updated the URL to images.

[jpc]

cool

[Arizona Chris]

Thats really awesome!  Ive tried to "sand" limestone flat areas to show the fossils better,and its a LOT of hard physical labor.  Are you using a diamond sander?

[The QCC]

I must confess. I use a flat lap grinder.
I started out using powders, but got discouraged very quickly.
My machine is a HiTech Diamond All-U-Need.  With a few modifications. I should have purchased an 8 inch machine not the 6 inch.

The HiTech Diamond lap machine

 

I added weighted holders for the longer grinding times.

 

A sample of the diamond discs I use.

[squali]

I like your gravity fed lubricant set up.

i imagine a small dispensing tube using centrifugal force to keep the surface moist?  Thanks.