A rapid, non‐destructive method of detecting diagenetic alteration in fossil bone using Raman spectroscopy

Biogenic isotopes of analytical interest may be stripped from bone during burial, reducing the utility of fossil specimens for paleobiological and paleoenvironmental reconstruction. Denudation of the bone lattice coupled with the addition of exotic ions can influence the Raman spectra of fossil bone. Modern bone samples (n = 43) were used to establish an unaltered bone standard, and a suite of synthetic apatite samples were produced to simulate the addition of various ions into the bone mineral lattice. Diagenetic alteration produces distinct spectral characters, providing qualifications for major ionic substitution, ionic heterogeneity, the abundance of structural carbonate, the presence of calcium carbonate and the presence of luminescent ions. Spectral indicators (proxies) provide the means of rapidly and nondestructively evaluating the degree of alteration and thus the analytical utility of fossil bones, potentially avoiding exhaustive and destructive analysis on finite material.