Aplicação de técnicas físicas na paleontologia: um estudo de fósseis da formação IPUBI – Bacia Sedimentar do Araripe

Abstract

In this work we have used several physical techniques to characterize four different fossils form Ipubi Formation – Araripe Basin. The techniques used were: X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence, infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The objective is characterizing fossils through several techniques, gibing new insights on a problem of paleontology. Through data obtained from this characterization we have tried to understand diverse fossilization processes that took place in Cretaceous fossils, aged as 100 million years old. We also hope give insights on the understanding of the paleoenvironmnet at the time when fossil specimens were lived. Initially, the bone of a theropode dinosaur from Ipubi Formation was characterized through EDS, X-ray fluorescence, infrared spectroscopy and XRD. From this study it was possible to observed that the main fossil constituent is hydroxiapatite, while the main matrix rock is calcium carbonate. As a complementary analysis, the fossil and the matrix rock were investigated by thermal analysis technique. In a second study a plant fossil – Brachyphyllum castilhoi – also extracted from Ibupi Formation, was investigated through EDS, infrared, X-ray fluorescence, Raman spectroscopy an X-ray diffraction. The original content of the plant was almost completely substituted by pyrite, showing the importance of this substance in the fossil preservation. Additionally, form this study, it was possible to suggest the temperature and the pH values of the paleolake form Cretaceous period in part of the Araripe Sedimentar Basin. This work was the first evidence that pyrite is related to a fossilization process from Ipubi Formation. Finally, two fish fossils, Vicntifer comptoni and Cladocyclus gardneri, were submitted to XRD and infrared spectroscopy techniques. It was observed that the principal phases from Cladocyclus gardneri are hydroxiapatite and calcite, although small traces of calcite is also present. In the matrix, the main phases are calcite, pyrite and quartz. Related to Vicntifer comptoni the principal phase is hydroxiapatite, while in the matrix the principal phase is gypsite, although small traces of other phases are also found. In this way, it was possible to conclude from this study that at least two different fossilization processes were responsible by the production of fossils from Ipubi Formation: (i) calcification, through the gypsite and calcite; (ii) piritization, through a complex chemical process.