X‐RAY RADIOGRAPHY FOR EXAMINATION OF BURROWING IN SEDIMENTS BY MARINE INVERTEBRATE ORGANISMS1

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Abstract
SUMMARY: Examination of the primary sedimentary texture of rocks and sediments by X‐radiography can be extended to include the study of bioturbation and burrowing by living organisms. This technique involves making time‐lapse X‐radiographs while the animals are in the process of disturbing the sediment.Artificially and naturally stratified sediments are contained in plexiglass aquaria connected to a continuously flowing seawater system. The burrowing animals to be studied are introduced into these aquaria and the effect of their activities on the sediments is recorded by X‐radiography over a period of hours, days or weeks.