ESTUDO MULTITÉCNICO DO ÂMBAR CRETÁCEO: BIOMARCADORES E PALINOLOGIA
ESTUDO MULTITÉCNICO DO ÂMBAR CRETÁCEO: BIOMARCADORES E PALINOLOGIA
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.625122504111
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Palavras-chave: Âmbar, CG-EM, Cretáceo, paleobotânica
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Keywords: Amber, GC-MS, Cretaceous, paleobotany
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Abstract: Facing the complexity of amber samples, the search for a complete characterization and speciation of their fractions is constantly necessary. The most commonly used routine tool is typically Gas Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The chemical composition of Lower Cretaceous amber clasts was examined to infer their botanical origin through the analysis of organic compounds. Gas Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) revealed a strong predominance of abietane-type diterpenoids, including compounds such as amberene, 16,17-bisnorcallitrisic acid, ferruginol (phenolic abietane), kaurane, and E-19-noragathic acid. The dominance of abietane diterpenoids along with these specific biomarkers is consistent with resin exudation by Araucariaceae and Cheirolepidiaceae conifers, as supported by previous chemotaxonomic studies of Cretaceous amber. Palynological studies of the same sedimentary rock samples highlighted a pollen-spore assemblage characterized by low diversity and specimen count, and dominated by conifer pollen attributed to the genera Classopollis, Araucariacites, and bisaccate conifer pollen, with relative occurrences of fern spores. The combination of geochemical and palynological studies, together with geological evidence, strongly supports a conifer plant source for the amber reported here, strengthening the attribution of these Portuguese fossil resins to Mesozoic gymnosperm resin-producing lineages.
- Celeste Yara dos Santos Siqueira
- Tharine Lima dos Santos