Abstract
Comparative studies of fossil resins of various ages, botanical sources, geological environments, and provenience were provided via a handheld portable Near-Infrared (NIR)-Raman spectrometer and benchtop instrument both working with laser line 1064 nm. The recorded Raman spectra of individual fossil resins were found to be sufficiently similar irrespective to the device type applied, i.e., handheld or benchtop. Thus, the portable equipment was found to be a sufficient tool for the preliminary identification of resins based on botanical and geographical origin criteria. The observed height ratio of 1640/1440 cm−1 Raman bands did not correlate well with the ages of fossil resins. Hence, it may be assumed that geological conditions such as volcanic activity and/or hydrothermal heating are plausible factors accelerating the maturation of resins and cross-linking processes.
Highlights
Fossil resins are sticky plant secretions that harden on atmospheric exposure over time, and have been found within coal or other sedimentary rocks
The quality of the Raman spectra of fossil resins seems to depend on many parameters, i.e., number of scans, laser power, and signal processing
The differentiation of fossil resins of the same age and botanical source, coming from various geographical localities with Near infrared Raman spectroscopy is possible for samples coming from the Dominican Republic and Mexico (Miocene, Hymenae), but out of the question for specimens from Sumatra and Borneo (Miocene, Dipterocarpaceae)
Summary
Fossil resins are sticky plant secretions that harden on atmospheric exposure over time, and have been found within coal or other sedimentary rocks They were formed tens of millions of years ago through the diagenetic or catagenetic transformations of plant exudates induced by various geochemical processes. Occurring in various worldwide localities, fossil resins are incorporated in geological layers spanning in age from the Triassic to Cenozoic [6,7]. They differ from one deposit to another in terms of physicochemical properties (appearance) as well as the presence of organic and inorganic inclusions. Among the huge number of resin types, the succinite (Baltic amber), containing succinic acid, remains the most frequently studied [8,9,10,11,12,13]
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