I apparently over-did it a bit in the cave yesterday, so I spent today topside screen-washing sediment.
When screen-washing, the first thing you have to do is make sure your screens are clean, so you don’t cross contaminate samples. Our screens come in three different mesh sizes that stack together.
Add sediment to the screens, but not too much or it’ll clog the screens.
You have to let the sediment soak for a bit. Luckily (and intentionally) wooden screens float.
A little bit of agitation gets the sediments to separate according to screen size. The littlest particles just fall right through.
The longest part of the process is getting the screens to dry. You put the screens at an angle so the water drains off. This takes an hour or more, depending on the weather.
Sometimes you don’t have to wait for the sediment to dry before finding fossils. Today, I found claws, jaws, and teeth in the boxes.
Having multiple screens means you can wash multiple samples at once.
After a day of screen-washing, I’ve gotten a little more tan and feel pretty rested.
And, as Wyoming is wont to do, there was yet another lovely sunset.
Looking forward to another busy and productive day tomorrow!
Penny Higgins - Storyteller • Artist • Scientist 