Editing Fossil (section)

====Silicification====
In [[silicification]], the precipitation of [[silica]] from saturated water bodies is responsible for the fossil's formation and preservation. The mineral-laden water permeates the pores and cells of some dead organism, where it becomes a [[gel]].  Over time, the gel will [[drying| dehydrate]], forming a [[silica]]-rich crystal structure, which can be expressed in the form of [[quartz]], [[chalcedony]], [[agate]], [[opal]], among others, with the shape of the original remain.<ref>Oehler, John H., & Schopf, J. William (1971). Artificial microfossils: Experimental studies of permineralization of blue-green algae in silica. ''Science''. 174, 1229–1231.</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Götz |first1=Annette E. |last2=Montenari |first2=Michael |last3=Costin |first3=Gelu |date=2017 |title=Silicification and organic matter preservation in the Anisian Muschelkalk: Implications for the basin dynamics of the central European Muschelkalk Sea |journal=Central European Geology |volume=60 |issue=1 |pages=35–52 |doi=10.1556/24.60.2017.002 |bibcode=2017CEJGl..60...35G |issn=1788-2281 |doi-access=free}}</ref>
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File:2017-07-15 22-10-35 (C) DxO.jpg|Chalcedony replaced fossil shells of ''[[Elimia tenera]]'' with inclusions of [[ostracods]]
File:Chalcedonized fossil gastropods (Cretaceous; possibly from Dakhla, southern Morocco) (15230327942).jpg|Chalcedonized [[gastropods]] internal molds
File:Schnecken auflicht small.jpg|Agatized internal molds of gastropods from [[Deccan Traps]]
File:Agate Chalcedony GE9323 540424.jpg|Agatized fossil coral from [[Florida]]
File:Opaleautralie.jpg|Fossil bivalves replaced by [[opal]], from [[Queensland]]
File:Addyman 3.JPG|Rear view of an opalized Addyman [[Plesiosauria|Plesiosaur]] fossil at the [[South Australian Museum]]
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