Phosphatization

Phosphatized Otodus megalodon tooth from the Bahía Inglesa Formation

Phosphatization, or phosphatic fossilization, refers to the process of fossilization where organic matter is replaced by abundant calcium-phosphate minerals. It has occurred in unusual circumstances to preserve some extremely high-resolution microfossils in which careful preparation can even reveal preserved cellular structures. Such microscopic fossils are only visible under the scanning electron microscope.