Current research of fossil bone detritus: paleontology, mineralogy, geochemistry

We characterize the principles and methods of mineralogical and geochemical studies of fossil bone detritus in order to obtain a variety of information about the primary biological properties of the organisms and the conditions and results of the fossilization of their skeletal remains. Examples of studying the microstructure of the bone (optical, scanning electron, atomic force probe microscopy), and nano porous (kinetic nitrogen adsorption-desorption), chemical composition (X-ray fluorescence analysis), trace elements (mass spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma), phase composition biomineral components (X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy), elemental (gas chromatography), a molecular group (IR spectroscopy), an amino acid (gas chromatography) of the composition of bone collagen, the isotopic composition of C, O and N (isotope ratio mass spectrometry in conjunction with gas chromatography) are discussed. It is concluded that the development of a conscious and fruitful use of multiple precision complex mineralogical, physical, physica-chemical and chemical methods can ensure a successful future of paleontology.