Twisted stalks were then observed using microscopic and spectroscopic techniques, 1) to determine whether structures are preserved and 2) to characterize their mineral and organic composition and 3) to provide spectroscopic signatures that could be useful for microfossil search in the rock record.
«As a summer project, I had asked Megan to search through samples for microfossils so we could use them for geochemistry... She did not have great luck, so I dumped the material on a tray for a final look before giving up on it.