Gypsum growth induced by pyrite oxidation jeopardises the conservation of fossil specimens: an example from the Xiaheyan entomofauna (Late Carboniferous, China)

Odin, G.S.; Rouchon, Véronique; Béthoux, Olivier; Ren, Dong

doi:10.1016/j.palaeo.2018.05.035

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 69 publications

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“…Perusal of the journals for conservation of art show how readily that community has embraced new microanalytical techniques. Yet the amount of targeted scientific and mineralogical study geared towards geological/fossil conservation is lacking, save for a few (Blount, 1993;Thomas et al, 2003;Odin et al, 2014Odin et al, , 2015aOdin et al, , 2015bOdin et al, , 2016Odin et al, , 2018. There are few adequate studies on museum specimens, which in themselves represent invaluable long-term experiments.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A review of “pyrite disease” for paleontologists, with potential focused interventions

Tacker¹

2020

Palaeontol Electron

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A literature review of the chemical reactions involved in pyrite oxidation/hydration ("pyrite disease") in geological or fossil collections gives direction to a suite of focused interventions. Reactions on the pyrite surface lie at the heart of the chemical process, accompanied by the movement of electrons on and through the pyrite semiconductor. Control of these electrons ultimately may be futile, but examination of the reactions at the atomic level leads to new possibilities for treatment, and identifies why some treatments are ineffective. This review also identifies gaps in our understanding of the oxidation and hydration reactions. Fossil biomaterials-bone or shell-often contain or are partially replaced by pyrite. Acidity produced by pyrite decay destroys these materials. Older treatments focus on acid neutralization, and humidity control as solutions for megascopic problems. Focused interventions target specific steps in the chemical reactions at the atomic scale. Interventions are informed by identification of all the minerals participating in the process, and accurate characterization of the bone, pyrite and sedimentary matrix. Bone minerals and pyrite are structurally and chemically heterogeneous, so each intervention requires bench testing, complimented by analytical measurements. Chemically passivating the unreacted pyrite surface shows the greatest promise. Anticipation of a new specimen's susceptibility to decay is key. Decay may be accelerated using techniques of humidity buffering with saturated salt solutions. Conductivity of pyrite (which varies over four orders of magnitude) may be measured. A database of pyrite conductivity is highly desirable.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In my own lab, I have observed gypsum growth in the reaction between my own laboratory-grown efflorescent minerals and fossil bone. Growth of gypsum on fossils is also described by Odin et al (2018).…”

Section: Reaction Between Bone Apatite and Acidmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of “pyrite disease” for paleontologists, with potential focused interventions

Tacker¹

2020

Palaeontol Electron

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“…Gypsum occurs atop the larger earthen deposits, sometimes in association with potassic sulphates, which may be jarosite and/or syngenite (see discussion above). Gypsum and jarosite are well-known oxidations products under acidic aqueous conditions of soils originally containing disseminated pyrite and calcite [ 69 , 70 ]. Syngenite, although less common, has also been observed as a surface weathering product in association with these other sulphates [ 71 ].…”

Section: Synthesis and Interpretationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Authenticating coins of the ‘Roman emperor’ Sponsian

et al. 2022

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The ‘Roman emperor’ Sponsian is known only from an assemblage of coins allegedly found in Transylvania (Romania) in 1713. They are very unlike regular Roman coins in style and manufacture, with various enigmatic features including bungled legends and historically mixed motifs, and have long been dismissed as poorly made forgeries. Here we present non-destructive imaging and spectroscopic results that show features indicative of authenticity. Deep micro-abrasion patterns suggest extensive circulation-wear. Superficial patches of soil minerals bound by authigenic cement and overlain by oxidation products indicate a history of prolonged burial then exhumation. These observations force a re-evaluation of Sponsian as a historical personage. Combining evidence from the coins with the historical record, we suggest he was most likely an army commander in the isolated Roman Province of Dacia during the military crisis of the 260s CE, and that his crudely manufactured coins supported a functioning monetary economy that persisted locally for an appreciable period.

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“…Geol., 56(6), 715-728, 2023 http://dx.doi.org/10. 9719/EEG.2023.56.6.715 천연기념물 진주 충무공동 익룡•새•공룡발자국 화석산지의 오염물 형성 메커니즘과 관리방안 (D'Angeli et al, 2017;Odin et al, 2018). 염풍화 산 물 중 석고(CaSO 4 •2H 2 O)는 탄산염 광물을 함유한 지질 유산의 구성성분이 유수를 통해 이동 및 증발하는 환경 에서 발생한다 (Malaga-Starzec et al, 2003;Schweigstillová et al, 2009;Odin et al, 2016).…”

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Contaminant Mechanism and Management of Tracksite of Pterosaurs, Birds, and Dinosaurs in Chungmugong-dong, Jinju, Korea

Choie,

Won,

Lee

et al. 2023

Econ. Environ. Geol.

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Tracksite of pterosaurs, birds, and dinosaurs in Chungmugong-dong in Jinju was designated as a natural monument in 2011 and is known as the world's largest in terms of the number and density of pterosaur footprints. This site has been managed by installing protection buildings to conserve in 2018. About 17% of the footprints of pterosaur, theropod, and ornithopod in this site under management in the 2nd protection building are of great academic value, but observation of footprints has difficulties due to continuous physical and chemical damage. In particular, the accumulation of milk-white contaminants is formed by the gypsum and air pollutant complex. Gypsum remains evaporated with a plate or columnar shape in the process of water circulation around the 2nd protection building, and the dust is from through the inflow of the gallery windows. The aqueous solution of gypsum, consisting of calcium from the lower bed and sulfur from grass growth, is catchmented into the groundwater from the area behind the protection building. Pollen and a few minerals other constituents of contaminants, go through the gallery window, which makes it difficult to expel dust. To conserve the fossil-bearing beds from two contaminants of different origins, controlling the water and atmospheric circulation of the 2nd protection building and removing the contaminants continuously is necessary. When cleaning contaminants, the steam cleaning method is sufficiently effective for powder-shaped milk-white contaminants. The fossil-bearing bed consists of dark gray shale with high laser absorption power; the laser cleaning method accompanies physical loss to fossils and sedimentary structures; therefore, avoiding it as much as possible is desirable.

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Gypsum growth induced by pyrite oxidation jeopardises the conservation of fossil specimens: an example from the Xiaheyan entomofauna (Late Carboniferous, China)

Cited by 7 publications

References 69 publications

A review of “pyrite disease” for paleontologists, with potential focused interventions

A review of “pyrite disease” for paleontologists, with potential focused interventions

Authenticating coins of the ‘Roman emperor’ Sponsian

Contaminant Mechanism and Management of Tracksite of Pterosaurs, Birds, and Dinosaurs in Chungmugong-dong, Jinju, Korea

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