Diagenetic processes in Quaternary fossil bones from tropical limestone caves

Sousa, Daniel Vieira de; Eltink, Estevan; Oliveira, Raquel Aline Pessoa; Felix, Jorlandio F.; Guimarães, Luciano de Moura

doi:10.1038/s41598-020-78482-0

Cited by 17 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 91 publications

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“…This contributes to the bioapatite composition in extant remains, where the actual carbonate content varies among different species and increases with age within a given species (Legros et al, 1987). Mineral re-crystallization into hydroxyapatite results from postmortem unstable conditions (e.g., Sillen and Parkington, 1996; de Sousa et al, 2020). The deficit in the sum of oxides measured by the EMP analysis could be a result of the porous structure of the bone material and the presence of organic components or carbonates or both.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microbial degradation of Pleistocene permafrost-sealed fossil mammal remains

Calábková

Chlachula²,

Ivanov³

et al. 2022

Quat. res.

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Paleontological remains retrieved from permafrost represent the most informative records of Pleistocene ecosystems. Different levels of past microbial activity affecting fossil material preservation are presented for two selected bone samples—an almost intact Bison sp. metacarpus (45.0 ± 5.0 14C ka BP) and a weathered Equus sp. metacarpus (37.8 ± 1.7 14C ka BP) from the recently exposed cryogenic geo-contexts in the Yana River basin, NE Yakutia. Diagenetic changes in bone porosity and chemical composition as a result of the past microbial activity were investigated by multiple analytical methods. In the bison bone, which was permafrost-sealed shortly after death of the animal and conserved for ca. 45 ka in a frozen state in a cryolithic formation, only superficial microbial degradation processes were detected. Progressive microbial attacks characterize the horse bone, which was exposed to MIS 3 sub-aerial biogenic decay and modern surficial weathering. This is evidenced by extensive bacterial micro-boring with the typical focal destructions, an increase in microbial porosity, and de-mineralized osseous zones due to waterlogged and poorly oxygenated past depositional conditions. New information contributes to better understanding of the diagenesis particularities and the associated chemical and biological agents of the fossil osteological assemblages with respect to their taphonomic and paleoenvironmental implications.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microbial degradation of Pleistocene permafrost-sealed fossil mammal remains

Calábková

Chlachula²,

Ivanov³

et al. 2022

Quat. res.

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“…They suggest that mineral dissolution has a minor contribution. Crystallization occurs by nucleation and precipitates in the free space left by the previous mineral or in the vascular structure [ 4 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Bone diagenesis hampers the work of forensic investigators in the evaluation of skeletal remains, such as age, sex and postmortem intervals. Numerous studies have focused on the evaluation of diagenetic processes over long timescales (~millions of years) [ 4 , 5 , 6 ] but fewer over short timescales (between days and thousands of years) [ 7 , 8 ]. Bone diagenesis was evaluated by histology [ 9 ], chemistry [ 10 ] or physicochemical [ 11 ] approaches, allowing a better understanding of the complexity of the mechanism.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bone Molecular Modifications Induced by Diagenesis Followed-Up for 12 Months

Falgayrac

Vitale

Delannoy

et al. 2022

Biology

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After death, diagenesis takes place. Numerous processes occur concomitantly, which makes it difficult to identify the diagenetic processes. The diagenetic processes refer to all processes (chemical or physical) that modify the skeletal remains. These processes are highly variable depending on the environmental factors (weather, temperature, age, sex, etc.), especially in the early stages. Numerous studies have evaluated bone diagenetic processes over long timescales (~millions of years), but fewer have been done over short timescales (between days and thousands of years). The objective of the study is to assess the early stages of diagenetic processes by Raman microspectroscopy over 12 months. The mineral and organic matrix modifications are monitored through physicochemical parameters. Ribs from six humans were buried in soil. The modifications of bone composition were followed by Raman spectroscopy each month. The decrease in the mineral/organic ratio and carbonate type-B content and the increase in crystallinity reveal that minerals undergo dissolution–recrystallization. The decrease in collagen cross-linking indicates that collagen hydrolysis induces the fragmentation of collagen fibres over 12 months.

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“…This explains why cut marks from PTK are macroscopically better preserved than cut marks from DS; the latter also displays a higher degree of alteration, with several low‐topographic areas exhibiting some leaching of the external cortical surfaces of fossils in addition to a higher degree of manganese‐staining. Manganese coating on bones is typical of humid environments and caves (Cukrowska et al ., 2005; Shahack‐Gross et al ., 1997; de Sousa et al ., 2020; Stathopoulou et al ., 2013). Manganese becomes more abundant in acidic soils and decreases as pH increases (Goldberg and Macphail, 2009).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determining the diagenetic paths of archaeofaunal assemblages and their palaeoecology through artificial intelligence: an application to Oldowan sites from Olduvai Gorge (Tanzania)

Pizarro-Monzo

Organista

Cobo‐Sánchez

et al. 2021

J Quaternary Science

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The implementation of deep‐learning methods to the taphonomic analysis of the microscopic modification of bone‐surface modifications exposed to different chemical diagenetic pathways can effectively discriminate between acidic and alkaline soil properties, indirectly reflecting different ecological conditions. Here we use this novel method to assess the sedimentary conditions of two of the oldest Oldowan archaeofaunal records (DS and PTK, Bed I) from Olduvai Gorge Bed I in Tanzania. We show how the results support different diagenetic conditions for both penecontemporaneous sites, which are appropriate for their respective locations on the palaeolandscape to which they belonged. We also show how geochemical analyses of the clay deposit that embedded both sites indicate a similar soil pH divergence. PTK was formed on an alluvial sloping surface affected by rills but draining efficiently, which resulted in alkaline soil conditions, that optimised bone‐surface preservation. DS occurred in a more depressed area that underwent intermittent flooding, affecting soil chemistry by creating more acidic conditions. This impacted on bone surfaces by dynamically modifying mark morphology. This deep‐learning approach has relevance for the interpretation of the local palaeoecological conditions of both assemblages and their respective depositional loci. The results presented here open a new window to the incremental information gain through the use of artificial intelligence methods in taphonomic and palaeoecological research.

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Diagenetic processes in Quaternary fossil bones from tropical limestone caves

Cited by 17 publications

References 91 publications

Microbial degradation of Pleistocene permafrost-sealed fossil mammal remains

Microbial degradation of Pleistocene permafrost-sealed fossil mammal remains

Bone Molecular Modifications Induced by Diagenesis Followed-Up for 12 Months

Determining the diagenetic paths of archaeofaunal assemblages and their palaeoecology through artificial intelligence: an application to Oldowan sites from Olduvai Gorge (Tanzania)

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