Elsevier, Chemical Geology, (410), p. 108-123, 2015
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2015.06.003
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Bonebeds comprise reworked and time averaged constituents of different phosphatic vertebrate remains and, hence, provide an ideal substrate for the study of long and short term diagenetic processes. To test whether trace elements (U, Sr, REE) and 87Sr/86Sr ratios can be used for distinguishing between successive diagenetic signals, we performed geochemical analyses on vertebrate remains (bones, teeth, scales and coprolites) from two Triassic bonebeds located near Palzem (Germany). Trace element analysis was done on 170 vertebrate remains by LA-ICP-MS while 87Sr/86Sr ratios were determined for 39 bioclasts using LA-MC-ICP-MS. Although a low inter- and intra-bioclast REE variability indicates long-term open system behaviour, the observed REE patterns suggest the preservation of different diagenetic stages.