The extended X-ray absorption fine structure method was applied to det
ermine changes of the coordination parameters of Sr atoms during the t
hermal conversion of Sr-contaminated brushite into calcium pyrophospha
te. The results revealed that the changes of the crystallographic stru
cture induced by heating are correlated with the rearrangement of the
Sr environment. It was also confirmed that Sr may be used as a marker
of Ca in cases of thermal conversions of orthophosphate groups into py
rophosphate groups.