Yes, DPX (distyrene, a plasticizer, and xylene) can be used as a permanent mounting material for fossil pollen instead of Canada balsam. In fact, DPX has some advantages over Canada balsam, such as being easier to use, less toxic, and less prone to yellowing over time.
DPX is a synthetic resin that forms a clear, hard film when it dries. It is commonly used as a mounting medium in microscopy because it is transparent and provides excellent clarity and resolution. DPX also has good chemical resistance, making it suitable for long-term storage.
To mount fossil pollen using DPX, you would first need to clean and prepare the pollen samples, as you would with Canada balsam. Then, you would mix a small amount of DPX with xylene (or another solvent) to create a thin, even layer of mounting medium on a microscope slide. You would then carefully place the prepared pollen samples onto the slide, cover with a coverslip, and allow the DPX to dry completely. The dried DPX will provide a permanent, clear, and durable mount for the fossil pollen.
DPX and Canada balsam have similar refractive indices, which is an important consideration when choosing a mounting medium for microscopy. The refractive index of a mounting medium should match that of the specimen as closely as possible, in order to minimize the amount of light that is refracted or reflected at the interface between the specimen and the mounting medium.
In the case of fossil pollen, which is typically composed of organic materials, the refractive index is often similar to that of Canada balsam or DPX. This means that both Canada balsam and DPX can be suitable mounting media for fossil pollen, and the choice between the two may depend on other factors such as ease of use, toxicity, and yellowing over time. However, DPX may be preferred in some cases due to its ease of use and lower toxicity compared to Canada balsam.
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