Mineralogical–geochemical characteristics of the bone detritus of Pleistocene mammals as a source of paleontological information
- Authors: Silaev V.I.1, Ponomarev D.V.1, Kiseleva D.V.2, Smoleva I.V.1, Simakova Y.S.1, Martirosyan O.V.3, Vasil’ev E.A.4, Khazov A.F.1, Tropnikov E.M.1
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Affiliations:
- Institute of Geology, Komi Scientific Center, Ural Branch
- Zavaritsky Institute of Geology and Geochemistry, Ural Branch
- Fedorovsky All-Russia Research Institute of Mineral Raw Materials
- St. Petersburg Mining University
- Issue: Vol 51, No 13 (2017)
- Pages: 1395-1421
- Section: Article
- URL: https://journals.rcsi.science/0031-0301/article/view/167311
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S0031030117130044
- ID: 167311
Cite item
Abstract
A complex mineralogical geochemical study of the bone detritus of large Pleistocene mammals inhabiting the Pechora Fore-Urals, the northernmost European part of their geographical range, is performed for the first time. The chemical composition, microstructure, content of 50 chemical elements are analyzed. The taphonomy of bones, extent of preservation of their initial properties, character and extent of fossilization are considered. The ultraporosity in the nanometer range is examined for the first time; it is established that it can be a marker of epigenetic changes in bones, beginning from the earliest stage of their fossilization. Based on X-ray structure and spectroscopic data, bone bioapatite is referred to carbonate–apatite of the B type. The results of thermal, chromatographic, and spectroscopic studies of collagen extracted from the bones of Pleistocene animals are discussed for the first time. The general trend of chemical degradation of bone proteins during fossilization is determined. The amino acid composition of bone collagen, the isotope composition of C, O, and N in biomineral and organic components of bones in the course of two-stage mass-spectrometer analysis of a complex sample are analyzed for the first time. Based on isotope-geochemical data conclusions concerning the diet and paleoclimatic and paleolandscape conditions of Pleistocene mammals are made.
About the authors
V. I. Silaev
Institute of Geology, Komi Scientific Center, Ural Branch
Author for correspondence.
Email: silaev@geo.komisc.ru
Russian Federation, Syktyvkar, 167982
D. V. Ponomarev
Institute of Geology, Komi Scientific Center, Ural Branch
Email: silaev@geo.komisc.ru
Russian Federation, Syktyvkar, 167982
D. V. Kiseleva
Zavaritsky Institute of Geology and Geochemistry, Ural Branch
Email: silaev@geo.komisc.ru
Russian Federation, Yekaterinburg, 620016
I. V. Smoleva
Institute of Geology, Komi Scientific Center, Ural Branch
Email: silaev@geo.komisc.ru
Russian Federation, Syktyvkar, 167982
Yu. S. Simakova
Institute of Geology, Komi Scientific Center, Ural Branch
Email: silaev@geo.komisc.ru
Russian Federation, Syktyvkar, 167982
O. V. Martirosyan
Fedorovsky All-Russia Research Institute of Mineral Raw Materials
Email: silaev@geo.komisc.ru
Russian Federation, Moscow, 119017
E. A. Vasil’ev
St. Petersburg Mining University
Email: silaev@geo.komisc.ru
Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, 199106
A. F. Khazov
Institute of Geology, Komi Scientific Center, Ural Branch
Email: silaev@geo.komisc.ru
Russian Federation, Syktyvkar, 167982
E. M. Tropnikov
Institute of Geology, Komi Scientific Center, Ural Branch
Email: silaev@geo.komisc.ru
Russian Federation, Syktyvkar, 167982