Finer fraction from ‘Core 8’optical image – mount is ~10 mmdiameter; note shell fragments

Samples were washed briefly in distilled water, rinsed in methanol, air-driedmounted on aluminum stubsusing double-stick tape

Coarser fraction from ‘Core 8’Optical image – mount is ~10 mmNote seed casing (arrow); fragment of gypsum crust

Finer fraction from ‘Core 12’Optical image – mount is ~10 mmquartz, k-feldspar are dominant mineralsdarker grains are rock fragments

Coarser fraction from ‘Core 12’note rounding of larger grains of quartz

SEM-BSE Core 8 Coarse fractionnote gypsum crystals (arrows)

SEM-BSE Core 8 Coarse fractioncloser view of previous frame

SEM-BSE Core 8 Coarse fractiongypsum crystals

SEM-BSE Core 8 Coarse fractiongypsum crystals encrusting lithicfragment

SEM-BSE Core 8 Coarse fractionnote seed casing; shell fragment

SEM-BSE Core 8 Coarse fractiondark (in optical view) lithic fragment

SEM-BSE Core 8 Coarse fractionFE-Mn mineral on quartz grain

SEM-BSE Core 8 Coarse fractionshell fragment (arrow)

SEM-BSE Core 12 – Fine Fractiongeneral view

SEM-BSE Core 12 – Coarse Fractionnote rounding of large quartz grain (arrow)