Clumped isotope thermometry of carbonate-bearing apatite: Revised sample pre-treatment, acid digestion, and temperature calibration

Abstract It has recently been shown that the clumped isotopic composition (Δ47) of carbonate-bearing hydroxyapatite (CHAP) from teeth and bones reveals important information about the body temperature of vertebrates (Eagle et al., 2010, 2011). In this study we reinvestigate the temperature dependence of Δ47 in CHAP, extending the temperature range from 2 to 59 °C. In addition, the effects of chemical pre-treatment of CHAP on its bulk and clumped isotopic composition are studied. CHAP is best reacted with phosphoric acid at 90 to 110 °C minimizing the potential of evolved CO2 or reaction intermediates to re-equilibrate with traces of water in the acid environment. Reaction at 110 °C ensures …