Comparative Study of the Mineralogy and Chemistry Properties of Elephant Bones: Implications during Diagenesis Processes

Elephants are currently the largest terrestrial mammals, along with their extinct ancestor mammoth. These species of great interest due to geographic distribution and ecological importance. However, bone mineral characteristics skeleton as well alteration during burial processes over millions years have been poorly investigated. In current research, we analyzed compositional structural properties different types (i.e., long flat bones) elephant mammoth bones. For this purpose, performed a comparative study between these using complementary analytical techniques based on X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, inductively coupled plasma spectroscopic analysis. The chemical composition samples shows relative loss considerable percentage water organic matter components for fossilized bone, accompanied by higher mineralization degree presence other crystalline phases calcite pyrite) related certain diagenesis alteration. Our results also show variation in recrystallization process dissolution–precipitation transformation through diagenetic burial. This research provides relevant information understanding bones possible changes diagenesis.