Progress in Study of Conodont Bioapatite Geochemistry
Zhang Lei
Zhao He
Lü Zhengyi
Wang Xiangdong
Abstract：Conodonts,serving as a feeding apparatus in oral cavity of an extinct and taxonomically ambiguous group of marine chordates,are phosphatic microfossils composed of carbonate fluorapatite(typically around 0.5 mm in size,with a maximum of 3 mm).They exhibit strong resistance to diagenesis,which is beneficial for preserving primary seawater information.Their elemental and isotopic composition is considered a reliable carrier of paleoceanographic chemical records.Geochemical systems represented by rare earth elements and oxygen,strontium,and calcium isotopes in conodonts have played a key role in revealing seawater redox conditions,acidity and alkalinity of paleooceans,surface seawater temperature,continental weathering,and paleoclimates.Conodont geochemical studies have been not only focusing on its application in the field of paleoenvironment and paleoclimatology,but also continuously delving into the microstructure of conodonts,especially the accurate extraction,evaluation,and screening of various elemental and isotopic information,with the aim of further improving the accurate application of conodont geochemistry.This paper reviews the morphology,structure,and paleoecological characteristics of conodonts,and on this basis,summarizes the study progress of rare earth elements and oxygen,strontium,and calcium isotope geochemistry of conodonts,in order to provide reference and inspiration for the development of conodont geochemistry and its application in paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic studies.
Keywords：conodontpaleoceanographypaleotemperaturecontinental weatheringrare earth elementsoxygen isotopesstrontium isotopecalcium isotopegeochemistry
Publication Date：2025-03-14
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：20( 1122-1141 )