A new microsieving technique in pollen analysis

Authors

  • A. Stephen Department of Botany, Madras Christian College, Tambaram, Chennai 600059, India
  • K. Anupama French Institute of Pondicherry, 11 St. Louis Street, Puducherry 605001, India
  • G. Orukaimani French Institute of Pondicherry, 11 St. Louis Street, Puducherry 605001, India
  • S. Prasad French Institute of Pondicherry, 11 St. Louis Street, Puducherry 605001, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54991/jop.2008.273

Keywords:

Pollen analysis, Microdebris, Microsieving, Membrane filter

Abstract

A new procedure has been added to the standard pollen preparation protocols to address the issue of microdebris and clay removal to facilitate easier and better microscopic observation and counting. This procedure consists primarily of a technique that uses a 5 µm membrane filter under water pressure to filter out particles < 5 µm and concentrate polliniferous material from core sediments and surface samples. The procedure includes a brief (optional) ultrasound pre-treatment followed by filtration using a membrane microsieve, the innovation highlighted herein. This technique is observed to be efficient in palynomorph retrieval from different kinds of sediment samples - the quantitative efficiency being superior to that of the conventional procedure and comparing favourably with ultrasonic microfiltration. The paper describes the new method, discusses its advantages and provides an illustrative, quantitative and qualitative comparison with the usual method (without microsieving) and recommends its widespread adoption in quantitative palynological studies.

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Published

2008-12-31

How to Cite

Stephen, A., Anupama, K., Orukaimani, G., & Prasad, S. (2008). A new microsieving technique in pollen analysis. Journal of Palaeosciences, 57((1-3), 551–557. https://doi.org/10.54991/jop.2008.273

Issue

Section

Research Articles

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