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Article Reference From Field to Lab : preparation of vertebrate fossils from a new Barremian Lagerstätte in South Lebanon
Lebanon is renowned for its rich Cenomanian fossil deposits, but recently its Lower Cretaceous deposits have also yielded significant fossils of plants, vertebrates and arthropods. In particular, the Barremian dysodiles (oil-shale mudstone) of Jdeidet Bkassine (Jezzine District, South Lebanon) are revealing vertebrate fossils of exceptional preservation. Until 2021, several surveys led to the discovery of ray-finned fishes, turtles and two complete mawsoniid coelacanths. In light of these promising finds, a two-week excavation was organised in 2023, supported by a National Geographic Society grant and involving an international team from Belgium, France, Lebanon, and Switzerland. The soft easily delaminated shales, allowed meticulous layer-by-layer investigation. A temporary preparation lab was set up on site to stabilise specimens, alongside identification and micro-sampling for geochemical analyses. This fieldwork unearthed an impressive array of vertebrates: coelacanths, an anura, pleurodiran turtles, squamates, and 5–7 different groups of actinopterygians. The most promising specimens were CT-scanned at the RBINS, offering invaluable insights for preparation and taxonomy. The introduction of an air abrasive unit using sodium bicarbonate and iron powder revolutionised the preparation workflow—dramatically improving speed and precision while preserving fine anatomical details, reducing the need for invasive tools like needles or airscribes. Many specimens remain to be prepared, some with exciting technical challenges. Yet the combination of exceptional preservation, with advanced 3D imaging, and refined preparation has allowed improving our understanding of macrosemiid and mawsoniid anatomy. We hope these finds could soon enough be on display in Lebanon, to share this remarkable Lagerstätte with the public.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2025
Article Reference PRePal : un réseau professionnel francophone pour la préparation-restauration paléontologique
En paléontologie, le travail de préparation est une étape cruciale dans l’étude scientifique d’un fossile, et souvent la toute première. Pourtant, cette discipline se confronte régulièrement à une série de contraintes limitant son déroulement optimal. Ces contraintes résident dans une connaissance parfois inégale par les chercheur·euse·s des multiples techniques à disposition, une certaine ségrégation entravant les échanges scientifiques, une grande hétérogénéité dans les données mises à disposition des préparateur·rice·s, des limites à la formation continue de ces dernier·ère·s et, parfois, un manque de valorisation de leurs contributions. Ces facteurs limitants peuvent s’ajouter à une forme d’isolement inhérente à la fonction de préparateur·rice·s, souvent représentée en nombre restreint au sein d’une équipe de recherche. Afin d’atténuer l’impact de ces barrières, pour certaines structurelles, le réseau de travail PRePal (Préparation et Restauration en Paléontologie) a été récemment mis en place avec comme objectif principal de faciliter les échanges et la coopération entre les préparateur·rice·s des laboratoires paléontologiques francophones. Ce réseau utilise comme outil de communication et de structuration de la communauté la plateforme internet Slack, application au service des groupes de travail depuis une dizaine d’années. Bien que ce réseau soit encore naissant, des membres contributeurs de Belgique, France et Suisse, ont déjà montré un engouement certain pour partager leurs expériences et échanger sur les produits, publications, congrès et formations. Le réseau PRePal se veut également une plateforme pour la proposition de protocoles facilitant les collaborations avec les chercheur·euse·s, ou encore de rapports techniques de traitements. Ainsi, l’utilisation étendue de PRePal dans les laboratoires francophones pourra permettre une collaboration améliorée entre leurs préparateur·rice·s, mais également entre tous les scientifiques acteur·rice·s de la mise au jour et de l’étude des fossiles, afin de fédérer davantage cette communauté.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2025
Webpublished Reference Coastal Marsh Vulnerability to Sea-Level Rise Is Exacerbated by Plant Species Invasion
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2025
Webpublished Reference C source code Spatial distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in natural and restored intertidal wetlands in the Scheldt estuary
Due to high human activity in coastal ecosystems, tidal marshes have become one of the most threatened natural ecosystems on the planet, with a significant decline in their ecosystem services as a result. The tidal marshes, flats and channel networks of estuaries each have their own distinct hydrodynamics, sedimentology and ecology which may affect the environmental fate and behaviour of pollutants. Intertidal areas may retain pollutants, hence impacting organisms that live, forage, or breed in these areas. Therefore, we investigated the spatial distribution of PFAS in sediments of intertidal areas in the Scheldt estuary (N Belgium & SW Netherlands), and to what extent this varies between different eco-geomorphic zones and between an old natural intertidal site (drowned land of Saeftinghe) and recently restored intertidal site (Hedwige-Prosperpolder; HPP), where tides were re-introduced. Furthermore, we investigated whether this distribution is affected by sediment characteristics and distance from the estuarine main channel. Associations between PFAS levels in sediments from the marshes and plants were investigated. Finally, we compared PFAS levels prior and after re-introduction of tides in the restoration site. Our results show signs of both historical and recent PFAS emissions, and suggest that the geomorphology of intertidal areas could play a role in the spatial distribution of PFAS in sediments. In general, the vegetation and the higher intertidal elevation in the marshes slow down currents, causing more deposition of finer sediment and higher PFAS concentrations. Distance from the estuarine main channel, grain size and organic matter content were less determining factors in the environmental fate. The re-introduction of tidal flooding in HPP leads to an enrichment with PFAS. Three PFAS were detected prior to tidal re-introduction, whereas eight PFAS were detected after. Concentrations of PFOS, PFOA and PFBS were respectively 12x, 3x and 5x higher after re-introduction. Although environmental risks in the intertidal areas were not assessed in this study, the enrichment could be beneficial for the Scheldt estuary and North Sea, as PFAS are filtered from the estuary and ecological risks in the estuary and adjacent sea are likely reduced. Moreover, removal of contaminated sediment beds and plants from intertidal areas would allow for remediation of the ecosystem, something which is more difficult when the pollution stays in the estuarine channel or sea.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2025
Inproceedings Reference 3D imaging showdown: A Comparative Study of high-resolution 3D Imaging Techniques for Museum Collections
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2025
Inproceedings Reference Toward a Unified Platform for the Digital Twins of the Specimens of Natural History Collections
The digitization of natural history collections is revolutionizing the preservation and utilization of biological and geological specimens. These collections, encompassing diverse ecosystems and time periods, are invaluable for scientific research, education, and conservation. However, physical specimens face challenges such as degradation, limited accessibility, and logistical difficulties. Digitization addresses these issues by converting specimens into high-resolution digital formats, preserving their integrity and making them widely accessible. This presentation explores the development of a unified platform for the digital twins of natural history specimens, focusing on standardization, management, and accessibility of multimedia files. The platform aims to integrate various digitization efforts as the Distributed System of Scientific Collections (DiSSCo ERIC) in Europe. This initiative adheres to the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) to enhance research capabilities and interdisciplinary studies. Key components of the platform include: 1. Digitization Techniques: High-resolution imaging, 3D scanning, and photogrammetry are used to create digital twins of specimens. These techniques ensure comprehensive documentation and accessibility for scientific research. 2. Metadata: The Darwin Core and ABCD standards for biodiversity data are managed by the institution CMS and DICOM is used for high-resolution and 3D imaging data. Links between CMS and Multimedia server are achieved using UUID/permalinks. This ensures quality, consistency, and interoperability of data. 3. Multimedia File Management: The platform utilizes the Open Source ORTHANC server, which supports various multimedia formats and provides a RESTful API for integration with other systems. Custom plugins and viewers were adapted or developed to enhance the visualization and analysis of digital specimens. 4. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: By providing a unified structure, the platform facilitates large-scale data analysis including access by AI and fosters collaboration among researchers, educators, and the general public. The integration of digital technologies into natural history collections not only safeguards specimens but also democratizes access to data, enabling global research and education. The proposed platform represents a significant advancement in the field, promoting the preservation and utilization of natural history collections in the digital age using Open Sources technologies. The proposed platform can easily be reused in a CH context.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2025
Inproceedings Reference Holocene stratigraphy of the shallow offshore zones of the Shetland Islands: Insights into paleotsunami and paleoenvironment reconstructions.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2024
Inproceedings Reference Erste Ergebnisse zu Untersuchungen an Sedimenten des Storegga-Tsunamis im Schelfbereich der Shetland-Inseln (GB).
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2024
Inproceedings Reference Using modern associations of microfauna to improve local relative sea-level reconstructions – a local transfer function for the Shetland Islands (UK)
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2025
Inproceedings Reference Holocene stratigraphy of the shallow offshore zones of the Shetland Islands: Insights into paleotsunami and paleoenvironment reconstructions
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2025