Plate P13. Dispersed organic matter. 1. T5842; Hole 1115C; 514.24 mbsf. Leaf preserved in claystone. The leaf no longer contains the tissues within the cuticle (mesophyll tissue). However, these must have been there at the time of deposition, otherwise the two cuticle surfaces would have tended to be torn apart. Subsequent diagenesis has apparently removed these tissues. The amber-colored wisps are probably also derived from leaf tissue (reflected light; field width = 0.22 mm; mean vitrinite reflectance = 0.29%). 2. T5842; Hole 1115C; 514.24 mbsf. Same as figure 1, but in fluorescence mode. The smooth surfaces of the cutinite represent the outer leaf surfaces, and the inner saw-toothed appearance is typical of leaf cuticles. The projection bounds the palisade cells. Commonly, palisade cells are preserved as vitrinite, and their absence in this occurrence suggests strong biochemical decay has occurred, leaving the relatively refractory cuticle intact (reflected light; field width = 0.22 mm; mean vitrinite reflectance = 0.29%). 3. T5856; Hole 1116A; 110.93 mbsf. DOM comprising telovitrinite that appears to represent in situ root tissue. Elongate structures such as these do not normally remain intact during transport. Therefore, an in situ origin is likely (reflected light; field width = 0.56 mm; mean vitrinite reflectance = 0.34%). 4. T5856; Hole 1116A; 110.93 mbsf. Elongate and anastomosing occurrences of telovitrinite that appear to represent in situ root tissue. Elongate structures such as these do not normally remain intact during transport. Therefore, an in situ origin is likely. Pyritization of the vitrinite has occurred (reflected light; field width = 0.56 mm; mean vitrinite reflectance = 0.34%).

Plate P13. Dispersed organic matter. 1. T5842; Hole 1115C; 514.24 mbsf. Leaf preserved in claystone. The leaf no longer contains the tissues within the cuticle (mesophyll tissue). However, these must have been there at the time of deposition, otherwise the two cuticle surfaces would have tended to be torn apart. Subsequent diagenesis has apparently removed these tissues. The amber-colored wisps are probably also derived from leaf tissue (reflected light; field width = 0.22 mm; mean vitrinite reflectance = 0.29%). 2. T5842; Hole 1115C; 514.24 mbsf. Same as figure 1, but in fluorescence mode. The smooth surfaces of the cutinite represent the outer leaf surfaces, and the inner saw-toothed appearance is typical of leaf cuticles. The projection bounds the palisade cells. Commonly, palisade cells are preserved as vitrinite, and their absence in this occurrence suggests strong biochemical decay has occurred, leaving the relatively refractory cuticle intact (reflected light; field width = 0.22 mm; mean vitrinite reflectance = 0.29%). 3. T5856; Hole 1116A; 110.93 mbsf. DOM comprising telovitrinite that appears to represent in situ root tissue. Elongate structures such as these do not normally remain intact during transport. Therefore, an in situ origin is likely (reflected light; field width = 0.56 mm; mean vitrinite reflectance = 0.34%). 4. T5856; Hole 1116A; 110.93 mbsf. Elongate and anastomosing occurrences of telovitrinite that appear to represent in situ root tissue. Elongate structures such as these do not normally remain intact during transport. Therefore, an in situ origin is likely. Pyritization of the vitrinite has occurred (reflected light; field width = 0.56 mm; mean vitrinite reflectance = 0.34%). Click on image or number to see enlargement.