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Abstract

The possible range of variability in fossil bones is not well understood. The purpose of the present study is to demonstrate the usefulness of infrared spectrometry for quantitative and qualitative measurements of the relative abundance of preserved proteins. These criteria, correlated with the crystallinity of bones, can enable one to understand certain diagenetic processes.

Keywords

FT-IR DRIFT Fossil bone Organic matrix Preservation

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Potential of the Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform (DRIFT) Method in Paleontological Studies of Bones

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