Conceptual Frameworks for Geographic-Botanical Affinities of Fossil Resins

Abstract

Solid-state analytical techniques have been applied to natural resins to establish paleo-geographic-botanical frameworks. Infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and differential thermal analysis were the techniques utilized. Fossilized resins (ambers) and recent to modern natural resins (gums and copals) from 47 world-wide localities were used in the study.North American fossil resins have distinctive infrared and thermal characteristics which distinguish them from type Baltic Sea coast ambers. Examination of recent gums and copals by solid-state analytical techniques indicates significantly higher volatile component fractions than in the more fossilized resins.