Study of Raman Spectroscopy in fossildiagenesis and skeletogenesis: paleoecological and paleoevolutionary implications

• Grant number: 13/17835-8
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: November 01, 2013 - January 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Geology
• Principal researcher: Juliana de Moraes Leme Basso
• Grantee: Juliana de Moraes Leme Basso
• Home Institution: Instituto de Geociências (IGC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Assoc. researchers: Douglas Galante ; Fabio Rodrigues ; Mírian Liza Alves Forancelli Pacheco ; Paulo César Boggiani ; Ricardo Ivan Ferreira da Trindade

Abstract

Raman spectroscopy is a high resolution photonic technique, used for identification of specific molecular compounds allowing clear information about the organic and inorganic molecular structures. The application of Raman spectroscopy is varied, being used for studies in archeology, forensic criminalistics, chemistry, astrobiology, paleontology, etc. Since this is a non destructive analysis procedure, Raman spectroscopy is ideally suited for the study of fossil. Because it is technology whose fossils application is relatively recent, Brazilian studies that use such technologies in fossils are scarce. One of the great paleontological research applications of Raman spectroscopy is the possibility of differentiation of the elements and compounds found in the rock matrix and those that constitute the fossil. The objectives of this project are: a) applying Raman spectroscopy in different types of fossils to clarify paleoecological and paleoevolutionary issues b) integrate Raman spectroscopy with other advanced techniques in the study of fossils, such as high resolution X-ray microtomography, X-ray fluorescence, isotope analyzes, Raman laser with five powers and synchotron c) increasing knowledge about the effects of diagenetic fossilization process through the use of innovative methods and techniques of studying the preservational types of fossils d) identification of the chemical composition and the skeletogenesis of carapace of metazoans and microfossils of the Precambrian (Tamengo Formation), e) to recognize the preservational types and how diagenesis acted in the preservation of lingulids (Devonian, Paraná Basin), comparing the results with actual lingulids, to determine differences in biomineralization of shells and its implication in the fossil record. The development and application of new techniques in the study of fossils includes an innovative aspect of this proposal, expanding the knowledge about new tools for chemical study of fossils and might serve as a model in the implementation of future studies in paleontology. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

BECKER-KERBER, BRUNO; DA SILVA, FERNANDO RODRIGUES; AMORIM, KAMILLA BORGES; ALVES FORANCELLI PACHECO, MIRIAN LIZA; LEME, JULIANA DE MORAES. Putting the cart before the horse: An example of how the lack of taphonomical approaches can mislead paleobiological inferences for the late Ediacaran. Precambrian Research, v. 332, SEP 15 2019. Web of Science Citations: 1.

PARRY, LUKE A.; BOGGIANI, PAULO C.; CONDON, DANIEL J.; GARWOOD, RUSSELL J.; LEME, JULIANA DE M.; MCILROY, DUNCAN; BRASIER, MARTIN D.; TRINDADE, RICARDO; CAMPANHA, GINALDO A. C.; PACHECO, MIRIAN L. A. F.; DINIZ, CLEBER Q. C.; LIU, ALEXANDER G. Ichnological evidence for meiofaunal bilaterians from the terminal Ediacaran and earliest Cambrian of Brazil. NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION, v. 1, n. 10, p. 1455-1464, OCT 2017. Web of Science Citations: 22.

BECKER-KERBER, BRUNO; ALVES FORANCELLI PACHECO, MIRIAN LIZA; RUDNITZKI, ISAAC DANIEL; GALANTE, DOUGLAS; RODRIGUES, FABIO; LEME, JULIANA DE MORAES. Ecological interactions in Cloudina from the Ediacaran of Brazil: implications for the rise of animal biomineralization. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, v. 7, JUL 14 2017. Web of Science Citations: 12.