Controlled chemical cleaning in paleontological preparationthe use of gels on vertebrate fossil remains from the Late Cretaceous of Spain

  1. Fátima Marcos Fernández 1
  2. Elena Fernández Fernández 2
  3. Irene Martínez Fernández 2
  4. Susana Bartolomé Santos 2
  5. Marta Onrubia Chinarro 2
  6. Francisco Ortega
  1. 1 Universidad Complutense de Madrid
    info

    Universidad Complutense de Madrid

    Madrid, España

    ROR 02p0gd045

  2. 2 Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia
    info

    Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia

    Madrid, España

    ROR https://ror.org/02msb5n36

Journal:
Journal of iberian geology: an international publication of earth sciences

ISSN: 1886-7995 1698-6180

Year of publication: 2020

Volume: 46

Issue: 3

Pages: 335-349

Type: Article

DOI: 10.1007/S41513-020-00129-W DIALNET GOOGLE SCHOLAR

More publications in: Journal of iberian geology: an international publication of earth sciences

Abstract

The conservation of paleontological heritage depends greatly on the diversity and complexity of the materials that compose both the fossils and the matrix that includes and flls them. A common practice in fossil preparation treatments consists in removing part of the surrounding matrix that, in some cases, prevents direct access to the specimens or puts its conservation at risk. For this reasons, it is necessary the use of reliable treatments that do not compromise the fossil stability during the process. Cleaning methods based on the use of gelifed solutions can be a remedy for some of those treatments in which the use of traditional techniques put in danger the preservation of the fossils. Here it is discussed the efcacy of diferent chemi‑ cal cleaning techniques with gelled solutions using diferent thickening agents, acids, chelants and surfactants that can be applied to the fossils from Lo Hueco fossil site (Cuenca, Spain).

Funding information

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