Abstract
X-ray diffraction was combined with X-ray energy-dispersion,
Fourier-transform infrared, and Raman spectroscopies to study the
fossilization of a Cretaceous specimen of the plant Brachyphyllum
castilhoi, a fossil from the Ipubi Formation, in the Araripe Sedimentary
Basin, Northeastern Brazil. Among the possible fossilization processes,
which could involve pyrite, silicon oxide, calcium oxide, or other
minerals, we were able to single out pyritization as the central
mechanism producing the fossil, more than 100 million years ago. In
addition to expanding the knowledge of the Ipubi Formation, this study
shows that, when combined with other experimental techniques, Raman
spectroscopy is a valuable tool at the paleontologist's disposal.
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