The Use of Modern Physical Methods of Instrumental Analytics in the Study of Stromatolites

The use of X-ray microtomography, neutron tomography, scanning electron microscopy and X‑ray microanalysis in the study of stromatolites is discussed, and the advantages of each of these methods are summarized. Scanning electron microscopy allows study of the morphology of the object surface. Information about the composition and ratio of chemical elements of surface structures can be obtained using X‑ray microanalysis. X-ray microtomography will be useful for detecting internal structures and their localization in the sample. Neutron tomography can be used to search for organic matter and other hydrogen-containing compounds.