Micron- to nano-scale biomineralization processes in fish otoliths

This is a feasibility study aimed at testing the application of the novel Photo-induced Force Microscopy (PiFM) method and its correlated use with other micro- and nano-scale metanalytical techniques to assess their use in characterzing otolith biominerals at high resolution. A particular focus of this study is the characterization of organic and mineral phases and how variations of these components may be used to infer growth banding. Therefore, we combine a element analytical and phase analytical techniques that operate at high resolution. We aim to characterize the otolith samples using a spatially downscaled approach with e.g., transmission optical microscopy, micro-XRF mapping, WDS-EPMA mapping and quantitative spot analysis, and nanoscale phase distribution mapping by PiFM. Further and depending on the data acquired funds may also be used to map isotope abundances that may fingerprint distinct organic and mineral phases by NanoSIMS.