Technical Information
Product specifications, handling information and supporting documentation for Palynotech marker grain products.
The information on this page provides a general introduction. Please refer to the relevant product documentation and instructions for full details.
What are Palynospheres?
Palynospheres are specialist marker grains developed for use in palynological and related microfossil research.
They are supplied in a variety of defined grain size ranges and formulated to defined grain concentrations in an isodense carrier liquid.
Particle Morphology
Palynospheres are black, spherical particles, developed to provide a readily identifiable marker during microscopic analysis.
Their uniform, opaque physical structure means they are truly exotic in comparison to the vast majority of microfossil targets.
Grain Size Options
The Palynotech product range is based around individually formulated single-size options. The range offers options likely to cover the vast majority of research interests.
Being able to choose marker grains similar in size and density to the target, ensures differential extraction effects do not confound recovery calculations.
The currently available and forthcoming grain size ranges are shown on the Products page.
Physical Characteristics
Palynospheres have a have a density of 1.4g/cc and a hardness on the Moh scale of 7, equivalent to quartz, but with a much higher chemical resistance.
They are well suited to survive the rigorous physical sample preparation processes used in microfossil research.
Palynospheres are extremely resistant to chemical degradation by acids (including Hydrofluoric Acid), alkalis and surfactants.
Researchers should always assess product suitability in relation to their own laboratory methods and procedures.
Chemical Resistance
Storage and Handling
The Palynotech SG06 range of products are extremely stable and can be used over a long period of time.
Storage at room temperature is recommended, but not critical. It is advised that when not in use, the bottle is capped tightly to avoid evaporation of the carrier liquid, which might result in small changes in the defined grain concentration.
The Palynospheres are supplied in an isodense carrier liquid to help maintain a stable suspension after initial mixing.
Palynospheres should be used in accordance with the relevant product instructions and appropriate laboratory procedures.
Product Safety
Product safety information is available for Palynospheres SG06.
Scientific References Using or Evaluating Palynospheres
Davies, S.A., McLaughlin, K.E., Finkelstein, S.A. et al. (2024) ‘Environmental associations and the paleoecological significance of the genus Pyxidicula Ehrenberg, 1838 and Pyxidicula muskegii sp. nov. in the Hudson and James Bay region peatlands, Canada’, Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 61, pp. 1212–1226.
Gauthier, M.S., Hodder, T.J., Dalton, A.S., Lian, O.B. & Finkelstein, S.A. (2024) ‘Preservation of probable MIS 7 deglacial and nonglacial deposits near the edge of the Hudson Bay Lowland in Manitoba, Canada’, Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 61, pp. 1184–1211.
Gauthier, M.S., Hodder, T.J., Dalton, A.S., Lian, O.B. & Finkelstein, S.A. (2025) ‘South-central Laurentide Ice Sheet dynamics and the formation of proglacial Lake Vita during MIS 3’, Quaternary Research, 123, pp. 83–105.
Hodder, T.J. et al. (2024) ‘Unravelling the fragmented sediment–landform assemblage in an area of thick Quaternary sediment, western Hudson Bay Lowland, Canada’, Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 61, pp. 1156–1183.
Hodder, T.J. et al. (2026) ‘Laurentide ice sheet dynamics across multiple glacial–interglacial cycles from Quaternary stratigraphic records in central Canada’, Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 63.
Kitaba, I. & Nakagawa, T. (2017) ‘Black ceramic spheres as marker grains for microfossil analyses, with improved chemical, physical, and optical properties’, Quaternary International, 455, pp. 166–169.
Kitaba, I., Nakagawa, T. & Johnston, T. (2024) ‘New marker grains! – “Palynospheres” as marker grains for microfossil analyses with improved performance’, XV International Palynological Congress (IPC XV) and XI International Organization of Palaeobotany Conference (IOPC XI), Prague, Czech Republic, 27–31 May 2024.
Leipe, C., Kobe, F. & Müller, S. (2019) ‘Testing the performance of sodium polytungstate and lithium heteropolytungstate as non-toxic dense media for pollen extraction from lake and peat sediment samples’, Quaternary International, 516, pp. 207–214.
Nakagawa, T., Kitaba, I., Johnston, T., Microsphere Technology Ltd. & Suigetsu 2006 Project Members (2012) ‘New marker grains! – DuPont NEM series is discontinuous now. Here is “Palynospheres” series from Microsphere Technology Ltd. as a better alternative’, Japanese Journal of Palynology, 58 (Supplement), p. 164.
Nakagawa, T. et al. (2021) ‘The spatio-temporal structure of the Lateglacial to early Holocene transition reconstructed from the pollen record of Lake Suigetsu and its precise correlation with other key global archives: Implications for palaeoclimatology and archaeology’, Global and Planetary Change, 202, 103493.
Sengupta, M. et al. (2026) ‘Pre- and early settlement era wetland paleoenvironments inferred from pollen and sediment analyses of buried soils from Ashbridge’s Marsh in the Toronto Port Lands’, FACETS, 11.
Shillito, L.-M., Blong, J.C., Green, E.J. & van Asperen, E. (2020) ‘The what, how and why of archaeological coprolite analysis’, Earth-Science Reviews, 207, 103196.