Platinum and microspherule peaks as chronostratigraphic markers for onset of the Younger Dryas at Wakulla Springs, Florida.

Anomalous peak abundances of platinum and Fe-rich microspherules with high-temperature minerals have previously been demonstrated to be a chronostratigraphic marker for the lower Younger Dryas Boundary (YDB) dating to 12.8 ka. This study used Bayesian analyses to test this hypothesis in multiple sequences (units) of sandy, weakly stratified sediments at Wakulla Springs, Florida.

Investigation of Tibetian Plateau varnish: new findings at the nanoscale using focused ion beam and transmission electron microscopy techniques.

Dual-beam focused ion beam microscopy (FIB/SEM) preparation of rock varnish for high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) has enabled us to characterize unreported nanostructures. Fossils, unreported textures, and compositional variability were observed at the nanoscale. These techniques could provide a method for studying ancient terrestrial and extra-terrestrial environments to better understand geological processes at the nanoscale.