Paleometry: A Brand New Area in Brazilian Science

Author(s)

Delgado, Adriana de Oliveira ; Buck, Pedro Victor ; Oses, Gabriel Ladeira ; Ghilardi, Renato Pirani ; Rangel, Elidiane Cipriano ; Alves Forancelli Pacheco, Mirian Liza

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: MATERIALS RESEARCH-IBERO-AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MATERIALS; v. 17, n. 6, p. 8-pg., 2014-11-01.

Abstract

Paleometry is a promising research field that brings together different areas, such as physics and chemistry, applied to paleobiological issues. In spite of being recognized abroad, it is a new research field in Brazil. The most important characteristic is the application of mostly non-destructive techniques to the study of fossils. This work compiles some paleometrical applications to different geological contexts, such as the synthesis of hard skeleton in Corumbella werneri, geochemical aspects about fresh water bivalves from the Bauru Group and the exceptional preservation of arthropods from the Crato Member. Diffuse Reflectance Infrared (DRIFT) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) were complementary to elucidate the types of skeletogenesys in Corumbella. In the case of the bivalves, DRIFT revealed to be important to elucidate aspects about death and fossilization. Among arthropods, morphological analysis with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) associated with EDX was more profitable to understand fossilization process and paleoenvironmental implications. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/16545-6 - Taphonomic study of bivalves in the Bauru group (Late Cretaceous, Bauru Basin) around the municipalities of Presidente Prudente and Pirapozinho, São Paulo, Brazil
• Grantee: Nayara Yoshimini de Oliveira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 13/06719-7 - Sistematic of fossil bivalves of Bauru group (Late Cretaceous, Bauru Basin) in Presidente Prudente area, São Paulo state, Brazil
• Grantee: Ariadne Cristina de Antonio
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 09/02312-4 - Morphological reconstitution and systematic analysis of Corumbella werneri Hahn et al. 1982 (Tamengo Formation, Ediacaran, Corumbá Group), Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil: paleoecological and taphonomical implications.
• Grantee: Mírian Liza Alves Forancelli Pacheco
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 13/06718-0 - Paleoecology of fossil bivalves of Bauru group (Late Cretaceous, Bauru Basin) in Presidente Prudente area, São Paulo state, Brazil
• Grantee: Thaís Carolina Silva Cirino Bueno
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation