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Microbial degradation of Pleistocene permafrost-sealed fossil mammal remains

Bibliographic Data

ID24087432
AuthorsGabriela Calábková (0000-0003-3504-0566, Masaryk University), Jiri Chlachula (0000-0002-7887-2496, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, corresponding author), Martin Ivanov (0000-0002-3912-4014, Masaryk University), Michaela Hložková (Masaryk University), Jolanta Czerniawska (0000-0003-3069-857X, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań), Michaela Vašinová-Galiová, Michaela Vašinová Galiová (0000-0001-8263-2789, Business Innovation Centre (Czechia)), Lubomı́r Prokeš (0000-0001-6044-3602, Masaryk University), Lubomír Prokeš, Petr Gadas (0009-0000-7561-0346, Masaryk University)
Year2023
Volume111
Pages84-106
Publication date2023-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueQuaternary Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0033-5894 • E-ISSN: 1096-0287
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/qua.2022.28
OpenAlexW4291383138
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited87

Paleontological remains retrieved from permafrost represent the most informative records of Pleistocene ecosystems. Different levels of past microbial activity affecting fossil material preservation are presented for two selected bone samples—an almost intact Bison sp. metacarpus (45.0 ± 5.0 14 C ka BP) and a weathered Equus sp. metacarpus (37.8 ± 1.7 14 C ka BP) from the recently exposed cryogenic geo-contexts in the Yana River basin, NE Yakutia. Diagenetic changes in bone porosity and chemical composition as a result of the past microbial activity were investigated by multiple analytical methods. In the bison bone, which was permafrost-sealed shortly after death of the animal and conserved for ca. 45 ka in a frozen state in a cryolithic formation, only superficial microbial degradation processes were detected. Progressive microbial attacks characterize the horse bone, which was exposed to MIS 3 sub-aerial biogenic decay and modern surficial weathering. This is evidenced by extensive bacterial micro-boring with the typical focal destructions, an increase in microbial porosity, and de-mineralized osseous zones due to waterlogged and poorly oxygenated past depositional conditions. New information contributes to better understanding of the diagenesis particularities and the associated chemical and biological agents of the fossil osteological assemblages with respect to their taphonomic and paleoenvironmental implications.

Diagenesis · Equidae · Equus · Geochemistry · Geomicrobiology · Microbial ecology · Microbial mat · Permafrost · Pleistocene · Taphonomy · Weathering · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Geology · Indigenous Studies and Ecology · Paleontology · Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology

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Unique citing works2
Citations per year0,67
Citation span2023 - 2025 (3)
Citation velocityrecent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 1
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