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Effect of in situ leaching on amino acid racemisation rates in fossil bone

Nature volume 281, pages 135–137 (1979)Cite this article

Abstract

Amino acid racemisation reactions provide a promising approach for estimating the absolute ages of fossil bones1. However, an important question remains unanswered: what is the effect of in situ leaching on apparent racemisation rates2,3? We report here the relationship between leaching history and the corresponding D/L aspartic acid ratio for 12 well-dated fossil samples, using γ-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) as a quantitative index of leaching4, in an attempt to resolve this problem.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lamont–Doherty Geological Observatory of Columbia University, Palisades, New York, 10964

    Kenneth King Jr

  2. Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and Institute of Marine Resources, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, 92093

    Jeffrey L. Bada

Authors
  1. Kenneth King Jr
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  2. Jeffrey L. Bada
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King, K., Bada, J. Effect of in situ leaching on amino acid racemisation rates in fossil bone. Nature 281, 135–137 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1038/281135a0

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