Physicochemical analysis of Permian coprolites from Brazil.
Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc
; 189: 93-99, 2018 Jan 15.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-28802161
ABSTRACT
In this paper we performed the study of two coprolites (fossilized feces) collected from the exposed levels of the Pedra de Fogo Formation, Parnaiba Sedimentary Basin, and Rio do Rasto Formation, Paraná Sedimentary Basin, both of the Palaeozoic era (Permian age). They were characterized using X-ray diffractometry, infrared, Raman and energy dispersive spectroscopy techniques in order to aid our understanding of the processes of fossilization and to discuss issues related to the feeding habits of the animals which generated those coprolites, probably cartilaginous fishes. The results obtained using a multitechnique approach showed that although these coprolites are from different geological formations, 3000km away from each other, they show the same major crystalline phases and elemental composition. The main phases found were hydroxyapatite, silica, calcite and hematite, which lead to infer that those coprolites were formed under similar conditions and produced by a similar group of carnivore or omnivore fishes.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Chemical Phenomena
/
Feces
/
Fossils
Limits:
Animals
Country/Region as subject:
America do sul
/
Brasil
Language:
En
Journal:
Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc
Journal subject:
BIOLOGIA MOLECULAR
Year:
2018
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Brazil