---
title: "Integrated correlative light and electron microscopy: A new technique for geological materials"
description: The integrated correlative light and electron microscopy technique has the potential to identify and characterize sedimentary organic matter in geological materials.
image: https://blog.delmic.com/hubfs/clem%20for%20sedimentary%20organic%20matter.png
---

###### [geology](https://blog.delmic.com/topic/geology), [SECOM](https://blog.delmic.com/topic/secom), [correlative light and electron microscopy](https://blog.delmic.com/topic/correlative-light-and-electron-microscopy) • 2

# Integrated correlative light and electron microscopy: A new technique for geological materials

[Delmic May 3, 2018](https://blog.delmic.com/author/delmic)

![clem for sedimentary organic matter](https://blog.delmic.com/hs-fs/hubfs/clem%20for%20sedimentary%20organic%20matter.png?width=1080&name=clem%20for%20sedimentary%20organic%20matter.png)

Integrated correlative light and electron microscopy (iCLEM) is a technique, in which both fluorescence imaging and electron imaging can be performed on one instrument without needing to transfer the sample.

Correlative microscopy approach is being used worldwide for cancer research, in marine biology, neuroscience, and cell biology. Recently this technique has also been applied in the field of geology to gain an insight into the sedimentary organic matter in geological materials.

If you think the integrated correlative light and electron microscopy might be a new approach of your research and you would like to learn more about this, check the presentation below:

** [Integrated Correlative Light and Electron Microscopy for Geology](https://www.slideshare.net/delmicbv/integrated-correlative-light-and-electron-microscopy-for-geology) **

In a[ recent publication](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jmi.12576), the unique [iCLEM system](https://www.delmic.com/secom-correlative-microscopy) was used by [USGS](https://www.usgs.gov/) to conduct a study with observations from an immature lacustrine oil shale from the Eocene Green River Mahogany Zone and mid-oil window paralic shale from the Upper Cretaceous Tuscaloosa Group. The results show that this technique has the potential to identify and characterize organic matter types and thermal regime, in which organic nanoporosity forms [1]. 

The data about organic matter can easily be obtained with a [high-resolution scanning electron microscope ](https://blog.delmic.com/super-resolution-correlative-microscopy-the-perfect-combination-of-function-and-structure)(SEM), but the researchers cannot use the SEM alone to differentiate the types of organic matter such as kerogen versus solid bitumen. However, fluorescence microscopy provides conclusive data to help with the identification of organic matter in shale hydrocarbon reservoirs [2]. By combining the two techniques in one microscope, geologists can acquire more data without concerning about time-consuming sample mapping, difficulties in field relocation or sample damage during transfer [3].

Please visit our [resource library](https://www.delmic.com/resources) and our product [SECOM](https://blog.delmic.com/the-main-benefits-of-correlative-light-and-electron-microscopy-on-secom-platform-video) using integrated CLEM if you would like to know more about correlative light and electron microscopy. 

 

##### Reference 

[1]Hackley, P.C. et al (2016). Utilization of integrated correlative light and electron microscopy (iCLEM) for imaging sedimentary organic matter. Journal of Microscopy. 267: 1–13.

[2] Timmermans, F.J. & Otto, C. (2015) Contributed review: review of integrated correlative light and electron microscopy. Rev. Sci. Instrum. 86: 011501.

[3] Hackley, P.C. & Cardott, B.J. (2016) Application of organic petrography in North American shale petroleum systems: a review. Int. J. Coal Geol.163: 8–51.

 

#### Delmic

[![](https://blog.delmic.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Website/Blog/2024_Life_Blog_Streamline-Cryo-ET-Workflow_Header.jpg?width=380&name=2024_Life_Blog_Streamline-Cryo-ET-Workflow_Header.jpg) ](https://blog.delmic.com/streamline-the-cryo-et-workflow-with-meteor) [###### life sciences

## From sample to structure - Streamline the correlative cryo-ET workflow with METEOR

](https://blog.delmic.com/streamline-the-cryo-et-workflow-with-meteor)

[![](https://blog.delmic.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Website/Blog/2023_CL_Crystallization-Sapphires_Header.jpg?width=380&name=2023_CL_Crystallization-Sapphires_Header.jpg) ](https://blog.delmic.com/sapphire-crystallization-histories-using-cathodoluminescence) [###### materials science

## Assessing Sapphire Crystallization Histories Using Cathodoluminescence

Sapphires grow in environments that attract geologists’ interest. To gain a better understanding of these environments, researchers recently studied sapphire ...

](https://blog.delmic.com/sapphire-crystallization-histories-using-cathodoluminescence)

[![](https://blog.delmic.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Website/Blog/2023_CL_Quartz-Precipitation_Header.jpg?width=380&name=2023_CL_Quartz-Precipitation_Header.jpg) ](https://blog.delmic.com/quartz-precipitation-using-cathodoluminescence-imaging) [###### materials science

## Revealing Quartz Precipitation Using Cathodoluminescence Imaging

Fluid-rock interactions such as precipitation play a large role in rock deformation. However, the precipitation location is often unknown. Here we highlight ...

](https://blog.delmic.com/quartz-precipitation-using-cathodoluminescence-imaging)