Fossilization History of Fossil Resin from Jambi Province (Sumatra, Indonesia) Based on Physico-Chemical Studies

Abstract

A unique specimen of fossil resin originating from the Dipterocarpaceae tree family found in Miocene brown coal deposits in Jambi Province (Sumatra, Indonesia) was investigated via microscopic observations, microhardness testing and infrared and Raman spectroscopic methods. Its form is rare in nature, being an aggregate of three varieties of resin differing in colour, transparency and internal structure. This suggests the formation of the resins at different stages. Further alteration processes, including fossilization and maturation of the resin in a swamp environment resulted in stepwise aromatization of the cyclohexane ring in steroids and cross-linking through formation of ester bonds as well as carbon-carbon bonds between steroid molecules. The various environmental and geological conditions affecting the formation processes of the resins were recorded in their physico-chemical properties. Additionally, heating conditions accelerated by volcanism were proposed as a factor determining the maturation grade of the resin.

Preliminary thermal characterization of natural resins from different botanical sources and geological environments

“…Some of the authors [44] determine the degree of resin maturity based on the ratio of 1650/1440 cm -1 bands in Raman spectroscopy. Recent investigations [26,34] did not confirm such relation. Correlation of spectral properties of resins with their age and maturity still requires more investigations.…”

“…As it was previously reported [3], the resin fossilization runs through polymerization of nonvolatile ingredients, cross-linking and isomerization, after low molecular mass compounds have been evaporated. This means that thermal behavior may reflect maturation histories and resin transformations [26].…”

Chemical and spectroscopic signatures of resins from Sumatra (Sarolangun mine, Jambi Province) and Germany (Bitterfeld, Saxony-Anhalt)

“…The aim of the study was also to find the most selective analytical tool for tracking the difference in chemical composition of fossil resins from a similar botanical origin that formed and altered in different geological conditions. Furthermore, this contribution is a kind of resumption of our previous studies on Sumatran resins 16 , providing additional data on their similarities and differences to glessite, which coexist within the same classification based on GC–MS class and NMR group.…”

“…In earlier investigations, it was found that the maturation of fossil resins has been influenced by various geological factors (e.g. volcanism, hydrothermal heating), not aging itself 8 , 10 , 11 , 14 – 16 .…”

“…Leelawatanasuk et al 25 found they could be easily distinguished from resins of other localities worldwide (Baltic areas, Dominican Republic and Myanmar) based on their distinct inclusions and characteristic IR spectrum. Recently, resins from the Sarolangun mine in Sumatra (Jambi Province) were studied by Naglik et al 16 . Three varieties of Sumatran resins, that formed one large aggregate, differed in colour, transparency and amounts of impurities.…”