X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of conodonts

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is shown to be a useful technique for the analysis of the elemental and organic composition of microfossils such as conodonts. Changes in elemental and organic composition with depth from the conodont surface can be determined in order to establish origin and thermal maturity. In this work the organic matter in conodonts with a colour thermal maturity alteration index of 4 is shown to be the product of oxidative rather than reducing environments. The C/N ratio is 20 which is close to that obtained for soils (10–12) rather than coals, kerogens or thermally matured geo-organic matter (50). Preliminary pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry, and micro-infrared and Raman spectroscopy also supports the conclusion that the organic matter differs from that predicted by the colour thermal maturity alteration index.