Application of solid state nuclear track detection technique in the study of fossil bones

• Published in: Radiation measurements Vol. 28; no. 1; pp. 571 - 574
• Main Authors: Qureshi, A.A., Khattak, N.U., Akram, M., Mehmood, K., Majid, C.A., Durrani, S.A., Haleem, A., Qureshi, I.E., Khan, H.A.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 1997; Elsevier
• Subjects: alpha autoradiography; CN-85; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; fission track dating; fossil bones; gamma spectrometry; Geochronology; Isotope geochemistry. Geochronology; lexan; mineralogy; Paleontology; SSNTD; Vertebrate paleontology; X-ray diffraction; Pakistan; Himalayas; Indian Peninsula; Siwalik Range; alpha autoradiography; gamma spectrometry; SSNTD; fossil bones; mineralogy; X-ray diffraction; fission track dating; CN-85; lexan; gamma-ray spectroscopy; Neogene; Chordata; fluorapatite; upper Tertiary; calcite; Ceratomorpha; Eutheria; apatite; burial; Theria; anaerobic environment; dating; Cenozoic; petrography; Tetrapoda; fission tracks; autoradiography; Tertiary; fossilization; carbonates; Rhinocerotidae; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Asia; phosphates; bones; Perissodactyla; Miocene; Phanerozoic
• ISSN: 1350-4487; 1879-0925
• DOI: 10.1016/S1350-4487(97)00141-8

Mammalian fossil bones have been discovered in the rocks of 16 my old Siwalik System in Pakistan. These bones belonging to some animal similar to the rhinoceros of our present days, have been studied using petrography, X-ray diffraction, γ-spectrometry, fission track dating, and α-autoradiography techniques. Presence of uranium in bones, now petrified to apatite, has been identified by fission track and alpha autoradiography methods. Interestingly, the petrified bones still contain well preserved bone cells and blood vessels in their original shape and red colour, perhaps due to the sudden burial of the animal in an anaerobic atmosphere.