About this Research Topic
The development and application of imaging and analytical techniques, which allow paleontologists to probe diverse physicochemical properties at varying resolutions in fossils, have not only increased the quantity but also the rigor and quality of information obtained from and about the fossil record. When systematically organized, this interdisciplinary methodological effort is known as paleometry.
As a methodological field, paleometry is dedicated to the following:
testing, adjusting, and proposing spectroscopic techniques (Raman, X-ray fluorescence) for investigating fossils, biominerals, and other biogenic materials; quantifying micro- and macroanatomy using 2D and 3D methods (e.g. X-ray elemental mapping and tomography) in more comprehensive studies, including the morphology, structure, and chemical composition of fossils; and conducting experiments to constrain the taphonomic processes that have impacted the quality and patterns of the information offered by the fossil record.
Now more than ever, our technical and conceptual advancements have enabled a greater understanding of the limits of the terrestrial biosphere and the (paleo)ecological effects of this, facilitating more detailed reconstructions of extinct organisms and ecosystems, and the identification of biosignatures across different scales.
These new insights contribute to the reconstruction of various iterations of our planet throughout deep time, with direct implications for detecting shadow biospheres and enhancing our understanding of living systems. This time of methodological innovation in paleontology also influences decision-making regarding strategic gaps in scientific knowledge, such as predicting environmental catastrophes, as well as planning missions beyond Earth aimed at detecting habitable environments and/or searching for signatures of life. In this way, paleometry not only uncovers "lost and new worlds" including our own, but also explores new frontiers and possibilities of knowledge.
We will compile the latest advancements that encompass the following: (1) the key technical and methodological breakthroughs in the study of fossils and identification of biosignatures
(2) original findings resulting from the application of paleometric studies (3) experimental approaches that test conflicting hypotheses concerning the fossil record
(4) proposed analytical and experimental protocols for studying materials of both paleobiological and astrobiological significance.
We invite authors to submit manuscripts that align with these research proposals that focus on the following types of contributions:
- Results from studies on fossils and biosignatures, including imaging, spectroscopy, spectrometry, and experimental assays.
- Development and presentation of novel approaches to investigate fossils and biosignatures: studies on parameter testing, proposals for combined techniques application, and proposed analytical and experimental protocols.
As a methodological field, paleometry is dedicated to the following:
testing, adjusting, and proposing spectroscopic techniques (Raman, X-ray fluorescence) for investigating fossils, biominerals, and other biogenic materials; quantifying micro- and macroanatomy using 2D and 3D methods (e.g. X-ray elemental mapping and tomography) in more comprehensive studies, including the morphology, structure, and chemical composition of fossils; and conducting experiments to constrain the taphonomic processes that have impacted the quality and patterns of the information offered by the fossil record.
Now more than ever, our technical and conceptual advancements have enabled a greater understanding of the limits of the terrestrial biosphere and the (paleo)ecological effects of this, facilitating more detailed reconstructions of extinct organisms and ecosystems, and the identification of biosignatures across different scales.
These new insights contribute to the reconstruction of various iterations of our planet throughout deep time, with direct implications for detecting shadow biospheres and enhancing our understanding of living systems. This time of methodological innovation in paleontology also influences decision-making regarding strategic gaps in scientific knowledge, such as predicting environmental catastrophes, as well as planning missions beyond Earth aimed at detecting habitable environments and/or searching for signatures of life. In this way, paleometry not only uncovers "lost and new worlds" including our own, but also explores new frontiers and possibilities of knowledge.
We will compile the latest advancements that encompass the following: (1) the key technical and methodological breakthroughs in the study of fossils and identification of biosignatures
(2) original findings resulting from the application of paleometric studies (3) experimental approaches that test conflicting hypotheses concerning the fossil record
(4) proposed analytical and experimental protocols for studying materials of both paleobiological and astrobiological significance.
We invite authors to submit manuscripts that align with these research proposals that focus on the following types of contributions:
- Results from studies on fossils and biosignatures, including imaging, spectroscopy, spectrometry, and experimental assays.
- Development and presentation of novel approaches to investigate fossils and biosignatures: studies on parameter testing, proposals for combined techniques application, and proposed analytical and experimental protocols.
Keywords: paleobiology; astrobiology; use of cutting edgs techniques in the study of fossils and biosignatures; biosignatures; biominerals, taphonomy, paleobiology, astrobiology, fossils, biosignatures, biominerals
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