LA-ICP-MS study OF MATERIAL CHANGES IN FOSSILS


Michaela Hložková (Vaňková)^1, Michaela Vašinová Galiová^1,2, Renata Čopjaková^3, Jindřich
Kynický^4, Viktor Kanický^1,2


^1Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech
Republic

^2Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech
Republic

^3Department of Geological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37
Brno, Czech Republic

^4Department of Pedology and Geology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in
Brno, Zemědělská 3, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic


Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is a widely used method for
the analysis of samples in solid state, as it offers high sensitivity, low limits of detection,
multielemental capability, high spatial resolution and minimal sample preparation. This analytical
technique was employed to study dinosaur skeletal remains. Chemical composition of skeletal remains
and elemental distribution within a particular finding are utilized for estimation of diet and
mobility/migration of individuals, physiology, taphonomy, diagenesis, paleo-environmental
reconstructions and paleo-redox conditions, for instance. Mineral phase of this skeletal tissue is
hydroxyapatite, however, it could be modified via substitutions by cations and/or anions during
diagenesis. These post-mortem changes depend on many factors (geographical location, the
composition of soil, environmental conditions, tissue porosity and extent of damage).

High total levels of REE (up to units of %[m/m]) as well as presence of various mineral phases were
observed in dinosaur skeletal remains originating from Mongolia. Moreover, positive and/or negative
anomaly of Ce was found depending on analyzed phase. The obtained information about elemental
contents, distributions and associations in analyzed fossils can be used to determine the level of
diagenesis. Electron MicroProbe Analysis was used as a comparative method and for the purpose of
quantification.















Acknowledgements

            This study was supported by the European Regional Development Fund project “CEITEC”
(CZ.1.05/1.1.00/02.0068) and Student Project Grant at MU (specific research, rector’s programme) –
Category A (MUNI/A/1008/2013).