Minor Elements in Fossil Bone

Abstract

Electron microprobe analysis was used to determine the specific sites at which minor elements are concentrated in fossil bone. In conjunction with data on bulk composition, this has permitted dividing the minor elements into three groups. Sodium and strontium are incorporated into the apatite crystal structure mainly during the life of the animal. Fluorine and yttrium also enter the apatite structure, but their presence is due to postmortal enrichment and is controlled mainly by availability of the element, and time, and, to a lesser degree, environmental conditions. Silicon, manganese, and iron are present in the form of separate minerals filling voids of all sizes in the bone structure. Their addition is clearly postmortal and reflects the diagenetic environment. Arsenic, barium, lead, thorium, uranium, and various rare earth elements have also been detected in fossil bones, but their specific location and time of incorporation into the bone have not been determined.