CONSERVATION AND STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF A DEVONIAN EOSPERMATOPTERIS TREE STUMP

The Eospermatopteris genus, known from the Devonian forests of Gilboa, Upstate New York, provides key insights into some of the earliest terrestrial ecosystems and the evolution of plants contained within them. Our research focuses on an Eospermatopteris stump showing signs of “pyrite disease,” a condition caused by pyrite oxidation in humid environments, leading to sulfuric acid production and structural decay. Our work is to mitigate this decay and preserve this paleo-ecologically significant fossil. We use 30% concentration Paraloid B-72 to stabilize loose fragments and 10% concentration for deeper cracks. During the stabilization process, we analyzed a network of anastomosing dark veins, possibly representing xylem strands, which connect to root-like structures at the bulbous base of the specimen. The strands are concentrated in a roughly 10 cm thick ring around the center of the specimen, representing the most fragile part of the fossil. Building on previous research on similar specimens from the same locality, we are examining these early vascular structures using scanning electron and polarizing petrographic microscopy of thin sections to better understand the relationship to modern tree-like plants. Our conservation outcomes can provide guidelines for handling similarly damaged specimens and enhance our understanding of early terrestrial flora.