Silver and silver microparticles of the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary sediment of Fish Clay Højerup (Stevns Klint, Denmark)

A discovery of micrometer-sized silver particles, embedded within the calcite matrix of the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary sediment at Stevns Klint, Denmark, suggests a link to the Chicxulub asteroid impact event. These pure silver microparticles (>99% weight) exhibit irregular, rounded, and dendritic shapes with rugged surfaces, as revealed by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The findings imply these particles were dispersed globally during or immediately after the impact, offering new insights into the geochemical consequences of large-scale extraterrestrial events.

Premović, P. I., Ðorđević, N. R., & Miljković, M. S. (2016). Silver and silver microparticles of the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary sediment of Fish Clay Højerup (Stevns Klint, Denmark). Geochemistry International, 54(4), 378–385. https://doi.org/10.1134/s001670291604008x