Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
Sep 1986
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1986gecoa..50.1941n&link_type=abstract
Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, vol. 50, Issue 9, pp.1941-1949
Mathematics
Logic
6
Scientific paper
Paleodietary analysis based on variations in the trace element and stable isotopic composition of inorganic and organic phases in fossil bone depends on the assumption that measured values reflect in vivo values. To test for postmortem alteration, we measured 87 Sr / 86 Sr , 13 C / 12 C , 18 O / 16 O and 15 N / 14 N ratios and Sr concentrations in modern and prehistoric (610 to 5470 yr old) bones of animals with marine or terrestrial diets from Greenland. Bones from modern terrestrial feeders have substantially lower Sr concentrations and more radiogenic 87 Sr / 86 Sr ratios than those from modern marine feeders. This contrast was not preserved in the prehistoric samples, which showed almost complete overlap for both Sr concentration and isotopic composition in bones from the two types of animals. Leaching experiments, X-ray diffraction analysis and infrared spectroscopy indicate that alteration of the Sr concentration and isotopic composition in prehistoric bone probably results from nearly complete exchange with groundwater. Oxygen isotope ratios in fossil apatite carbonate also failed to preserve the original discrimination between modern terrestrial and marine feeders. The C isotope ratio of apatite carbonate did not discriminate between animals with marine or terrestrial diets in the modern samples. Even so, the ranges of apatite 13 C values in prehistoric bone are more scattered than in modern samples for both groups, suggesting alteration had occurred. 13 C and 15 N values of collagen in modern bone are distinctly different for the two feeding types, and this distinction is preserved in most of the prehistoric samples. Our results suggest that postmortem alteration of dietary tracers in the inorganic phases of bone may be a problem at all archaeological sites and must be evaluated in each case. While collagen analyzed in this study was resistant to alteration, evaluation of the possibility of diagenetic alteration of its isotopic composition in bones from other contexts is also warranted.
de Paolo Donald J.
Deniro Michael J.
Hare P. E.
Nelson Bruce K.
Schoeninger Margaret J.
No associations
LandOfFree
Effects of diagenesis on strontium, carbon, nitrogen and oxygen concentration and isotopic composition of bone does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Effects of diagenesis on strontium, carbon, nitrogen and oxygen concentration and isotopic composition of bone, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Effects of diagenesis on strontium, carbon, nitrogen and oxygen concentration and isotopic composition of bone will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1295213