Application of mobile-macroscale scanning X-ray fluorescence (mobile-MA-XRF) imaging in paleontology: analyses of vertebrate fossil specimens from Messel conserved in different solid and liquid media

Abstract

Cutting-edge analytical instrumentation is increasingly being developed and applied to the analysis of fossils. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) imaging spectroscopy is a powerful tool to resolve the elemental chemistry of fossil specimens. Most of the XRF application to study fossils is carried out at dedicated synchrotron radiation XRF beamlines. Recent studies used laboratory scanners, i.e. stationary instruments with a measurement chamber or mobile ones to tackle paleontological questions. The application of these new XRF systems on fossils is still relatively limited and clear protocols for the acquisition and processing of the XRF data are currently lacking. Here, we present the use of mobile-macroscale scanning XRF (mobile-MA-XRF) imaging for the in situ analyses of the elemental chemistry of fossil vertebrates from the Messel biota (∼48 Ma, Eocene), including amphibians, reptiles, mammals and birds. We investigate the usefulness of mobile-MA-XRF to detect tissue-specific elemental signatures in fossils preserved in solid resin, liquid glycerin and water. We found remarkable tissue-specific chemical signatures preserved in almost all specimens analyzed. Hair and feathers are associated with S and Ti, abdominal tissues with Cu and Zn and stomach contents, e.g., seeds, are associated with Ni, Cu, and Zn. We provide a detailed protocol for acquisition and processing of MA-XRF data and a critical discussion of the application of this approach to paleontological research. Our work sets the foundation for applying MA-XRF to the analyses of those fossils that cannot be measured at synchrotron facilities and/or with stationary laboratory scanners due to their dimensions, weights and conservation mode.