An evaluation of different methods of preparation of quartz grains for study of their surface features by scanning electron microscopy

Sediments from periglacial and glacial environments were subjected to initial preparation and portions were subsequently further prepared using either the dichromate or the hydrogen peroxide method before being examined by scanning electron microscopy. Statistically significant differences did not occur in the results obtained for samples subjected only to initial or to initial and either of the two further preparations: it is concluded that initial preparation is satisfactory and further preparation unnecessary