Exploring computed tomography in ichnological analysis of cores from modern marine sediments
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Springer Nature
Fecha
2020Referencia bibliográfica
Dorador, J., Rodríguez-Tovar, F. J., & Titschack, J. (2020). Exploring computed tomography in ichnological analysis of cores from modern marine sediments. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 1-13.
Patrocinador
This work is supported by the Spanish Government [Project CGL2015-66835-P, Secretaría de Estado de I + D + I], Andalusian Government [Research Groups RNM-178 and RNM-276], and University of Granada [Scientific Excellence Unit UCE-2016-05]. The research of J.D. is financed by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant Agreement No. 792314 (ICON-SE).Resumen
Ichnological analysis is considered a very useful tool in several disciplines of Earth Sciences, including
palaeoenvironmental studies and hydrocarbon exploration. Sediment cores provide excellent records,
despite difficulties encountered during study runs due to specific core features. Previous studies using
2D images have proven the benefits of high-resolution image treatment in improving the visibility of
ichnological features, but with limitations. 3D computed tomography (CT) techniques were applied
to palaeoichnological studies in lithified cores and other disciplines of palaeontology to solve these
limitations, but not used for ichnological studies in unconsolidated sediments due to the low density
contrast between host sediment and trace fossils. In this study, a CT processing technique, previously
tested in coral research, is applied to facilitate the characterisation of the ichnological signature of cores
from modern marine soft sediments. This technique allows for the first time the isolation of burrows
within these kinds of sediments and the differentiation of intervals based on burrow orientation. Data
obtained from the technique are complemented with the ichnological information from conventional
core description, thus providing a more complete characterisation of the trace fossil assemblage
with additional ichnological properties such as burrow orientation and branching. This will improve
palaeoenvironmental interpretations related to changes in energy or oxygenation, and the analysis of
reservoir quality given the impact of burrows on porosity and permeability. Therefore, adopting CT to
complement visual core description in the ichnological analysis of soft modern marine cores is a very
informative approach.