Reflected light microscopy of chitinozoan fragments

Certain optical properties of some Silurian-Ordovician chitinozoans have been measured and their morphology described, using polished, block-mounted samples and polished thin sections. The chitinozoans were found to be optically isotropic and many fine details of their morphology were observed using reflected light microscopy. It has also proved possible to recognize chitinozoan fragments in sections made from kerogen concentrates and whole rock samples from early Palaeozoic sediments using reflected light microscopy, reflectance studies indicate their potential use as maturity indicators.