1. Introduction: defects in the thin sections

Incorrect trimming

The thickness of the microscopic preparations (thin sections) must be between 20 and 30 microns so that the optic properties of the minerals are shown properly. Sometimes the preparation is too thick or too thin.

The soil section being trimmed often inclines with regard to the abrasive surface and consequently, the resulting preparation has areas with different thicknesses. In other situations, there are softer areas that are trimmed more than the others.

As a result, the thinner areas appear with colours and weaker birefringences.

 

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