La paleobotany It is a science thanks to which we can, at least intuit, how planet Earth must have looked in the past, but not only that, but it also allows us to know what climate there was and, the most interesting thing if possible: how plants have evolved over time.
It is a certainly fascinating branch of paleontology. The fossilized remains that have come down to us allow us to glimpse a time when our home, Earth, was inhabited by beings that we could not even suspect were here otherwise.
How were plants fossilized?
As we know, plants cannot move around. They grow and die where the seed sprouted. Once they are lifeless, they become food for microorganisms, especially fungi; because of this, it is not easy to find plant fossils. But, given the right conditions, they can form.
Depending on where they are or where they have been buried, we distinguish several types:
- Carbonization: occurs when a plant falls into a swampy environment and is submerged in a low oxygen environment. In doing so, the carbohydrates that make up cellulose slowly break down, releasing methane and carbon dioxide.
- Impressions- Occurs when plant debris, for example a leaf or flower, is imprinted on the sediment.
- Mineralization: occurs when the remains are buried under sediments. Organic tissues are replaced by mineral substances.
- Molds: occurs when the most voluminous parts of the plants are buried in the sediment. In the event that the interior of the log is destroyed, the gap will remain, but if the gap is filled with sediment, the countermold will form.
How are fossils cleaned?
The fossils, both of plants and animals, once found and extracted, the first thing that is done is cover them with plaster. Although they are "rocks", they are really very delicate pieces that, if not treated with great care, could be lost forever.
Once they have been taken to the laboratory the top layer of the plaster is removed and cleaned with a pneumatic air scribe, which is a device similar to the burs used by dentists. With it, you can separate the pieces of rock that is left over.
Next, a chemical (B 72) is applied to them that will protect them from deterioration that could be caused by acids. Later they are immersed in specific well-controlled chemical solutions to remove the earth crust of no more than 5 millimeters.
Finally, the scientists they can study them thoroughly, identifying the species to which they belonged, their geological era, their size, etc.
This is a job that it can take a few weeks to years, depending on the fossil in question. However, when they are done, many of them are taken to museums where people like you and me can go see them and, perhaps, imagine themselves in a truly wild and natural world.