Revised Technique for Preparing Quantitative Radiolarian Slides from Deep-Sea Sediments

Abstract

A technique for preparing quantitative radiolarian slides from deep-sea sediments is described. Only relatively small amounts of sediment and chemicals are required. The cleaning steps use hydrochloric acid, hydrogen peroxide and potassium dichromate. Two methods for dispersing the sample are described. Particles are randomly distributed on coverslips with a settling technique. The part of the sample remaining after slides are made can be concentrated for storage using either a filtering or a settling technique. Formulas for calculating absolute numbers of radiolarian tests in a sample are given.