Depends on what rock types you have and what types of microfossils. We extract organic walled fossils from silica rich rocks which requires the use of dangerous acids in multiple steps and takes several weeks. The process has to be done in a fume hood with appropriate safety clothing. You can extract microfossils from carbonates fairly easily with either citric acid, or hydrochloric acid (HCl). Citric acid can be purchased from food suppliers and added to water as a powder. HCl needs to be about 10% and then handled carefully in a well ventilated area. The main issue is then filtering and sorting the fossils from the remaining sludge.
I’m looking for a good way to extract microfossils from sed rocks. Acid, the kerosene method, etc. What have you found to be effective?
Depends on what rock types you have and what types of microfossils. We extract organic walled fossils from silica rich rocks which requires the use of dangerous acids in multiple steps and takes several weeks. The process has to be done in a fume hood with appropriate safety clothing.
You can extract microfossils from carbonates fairly easily with either citric acid, or hydrochloric acid (HCl). Citric acid can be purchased from food suppliers and added to water as a powder. HCl needs to be about 10% and then handled carefully in a well ventilated area. The main issue is then filtering and sorting the fossils from the remaining sludge.