Abstract
Trace elements of forty-four ostracod shells have been accurately measured by using electron probe in conjunction with SEM. The specimens comprise four groups: living marine, living non-marine, fossil marine and fossil non-marine ostracods. The result reveals that these ostracod shells contain the following chemical elements: Calcium (Ca), Silica (Si), Aluminium (Al), Iron (Fe), Magnesium (Mg), Potassium (K), Chlorine (Cl), Sulphur (S), Sodium (Na) and Barium (Ba) (in their order of abundance). Ca is most abundant and accounts for 31–36%, and the total amount of other trace elements is less than 10%. There is obvious difference in trace elements between the marine ostracod shell and the freshwater one. This paper shows how they can be used to deduce the palaeoenvironment in which fossil ostracods once lived.These analytical results of the chemical content of ostracod shells help to throw light on the cause of different colours in fossilised shells and the process of their formation.
Published Version
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