Conodont Recovery Workflow Data from Upper Cambrian to Devonian NSW Samples

Ryan C. Dwyer and colleagues from the Geological Survey of New South Wales published a study on magnetic separation for conodont recovery in 2026. The dataset includes results from processing 15 upper Cambrian to Devonian rock samples from New South Wales, Australia. It details methods including size fractionation, stepped magnetic separation, and X-ray diffraction analysis.

Use Cases

• Optimizing microfossil recovery workflows based on the described magnetic separation and heavy liquid refinement techniques.
• Analyzing mineralogical partitioning in processed residues based on X-ray diffraction and stereomicroscopic observation results.
• Assessing fossil recovery potential based on the relationship between residue composition and conodont yield described in the study.

Strengths

• Describes a method that reduced total residue mass by up to 98 wt%, a concrete performance metric.
• Based on analysis of 15 distinct rock samples from a defined geological range (upper Cambrian to Devonian).
• Includes a practical case study from the Rowena Formation, demonstrating applied benefits.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data may reflect geographic bias inherent to the New South Wales sample locations.

Provenance

Source

Geological Survey of New South Wales

Collection Method

Samples were processed using size fractionation, stepped magnetic separation with a Frantz isodynamic separator, and targeted heavy liquid refinement.

Time Range

Samples are from the upper Cambrian to Devonian periods.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-05-12 01:06:12; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Samples are from across New South Wales, Australia, with a specific case study from the Koonenberry Belt in far western NSW.