How to prepare lithified sediments for SEM studies of palaeoclimatic interpretations

It may be difficult to prepare samples from lithified ancient deposits, i.e., mainly pre-Pleistocene sedimentary deposits, for studies of surface microtextures (SM) on quartz sand grains. Studies of SM is a major method used for palaeoclimatic interpretations and transport mechanisms for clastic sediments. Diamictites which are interpreted as tillites or sediment gravity flows are a main research area for such studies. A multi-process study documenting how SM are produced, both in nature and during laboratory processing, was performed and documented. The methods are simple, and SM can be easily analysed, and certain mineral covers could be removed. The laboratory processes did not induce any SM on the grains, except possible rare simple fractures.