Ian J. Slipper
Freeze-Thaw processing #1
The salt solution is decanted off the rock chips which are then placed overnight in a freezer. There has to be room around the chips for expansion as the salt freezes. This is the critical part - the rapid freezing creates very small crystals in the pore spaces that gently blow the rock apart and break down the structure - hopefully without damaging the microfossils.
Freeze-Thaw processing #1
The salt solution is decanted off the rock chips which are then placed overnight in a freezer. There has to be room around the chips for expansion as the salt freezes. This is the critical part - the rapid freezing creates very small crystals in the pore spaces that gently blow the rock apart and break down the structure - hopefully without damaging the microfossils.