Backscattered Scanning Electron Microscopy (BSE) reveals the minerals, textures, and fabrics of sediments and rocks in much greater detail than is possible with conventional optical microscopy. Backscattered Scanning Electron Microscopy provides a concise summary of the BSE technique. This comprehensive guide uses abundant images to illustrate the type of information BSE yields and the application of the technique to the study of sediments and sedimentary rocks. The authors review the use of this petrographic technique on all the major sedimentary rock types, including sediment grains, sandstones, shales, carbonate rocks, rock varnish, and glauconite. They also describe image analysis techniques that allow quantification of backscattered scanning electron microscope images and illustrate the potential applications of these methods. Heavily illustrated and lucidly written, this book will provide researchers and graduate students with the most current research on this important geological tool.

‘… the book is well written. It was edited by four authors who are experienced in this aspect of sedimentary petrology and well regarded by their peers, and it contains many clear, high-quality reproductions of SEM microphotographs. I am certainly glad to have in on my shelf, because it is a landmark in its field.’

Jim Mazzullo Source: EOS

‘ … clearly and most authoritatively written.’

Source: Ultramicroscopy

‘It is a book that is as readable and useful for the undergraduate as it is for the long time researcher.’

Phil Ingham - The Open University Geological Society