The non-destructive determination of REE in fossilized bone using synchrotron radiation induced K-line X-ray microfluorescence analysis

The sensitivity and applicability of the synchrotron radiation induced X-ra y microfluorescence (mu-SRXRF) spectrometer at the Hamburg synchrotron labo ratory Hasylab for the determination of the distribution of trace concentra tions of rare-earth elements (REE) in fossilized bone are discussed and cri tically compared to those of other trace analytical methods such as instrum ental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and LAMP-ICPMS (laser ablation mic roprobe inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry). Measurements were ca rried out on two bone samples from contrasting terrestrial depositional env ironments at Olduvai Gorge (Tanzania). Results indicate that the microdistr ibution of the REE in these biological materials is not homogeneous and tha t the relative abundance of these elements can provide information on the p alaeoenvironment during the fossilization process. The heterogeneous distri bution of the REE can be determined in a quantitative and completely non-de structive manner provided the concentrations of individual REE are above 10 mu g/g.