Comparing rates of recrystallisation and the potential for preservation of biomolecules from the distribution of trace elements in fossil bones |
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Affiliation: | 1. School of Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, SO13 4ZH Southampton, UK;2. Australian Key Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia;3. Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, Drumheller, Alberta T0J OYO, Canada;4. Geology Department, Macalester College, 1600, Grand Avenue, Saint Paul, 55015 Minnesota, USA;5. Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, 2401, Chautauqua Avenue, Norman, 73072 Oklahoma, USA |
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Abstract: | Preservation of intact macromolecules and geochemical signals in fossil bones is mainly controlled by the extent of post-mortem interaction between bones and sediment pore waters. Trace elements such as lanthanum are added to bone post-mortem from pore waters, and where uptake occurs via a simple process of diffusion and adsorption, the elemental distribution can be used to assess the relative extent of bone-pore water interaction and rate of recrystallisation. Distribution profiles can be parameterised effectively using simple exponential equations, and the extent of bone–water interaction compared within and between sites. In this study, the distribution of lanthanum within bone was determined by laser ablation ICP–MS in 60 archaeological and fossil bones from Pleistocene and Cretaceous sites. The rates of recrystallisation and potential for preservation of intact biogeochemical signals vary significantly within and between sites. Elemental profiles within fossil bones hold promise as a screening technique to prospect for intact biomolecules and as a taphonomic tool. |
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