Physicochemical And Biochemical Characterization Of Non-Biodegradable Cellulose In Miocene Gymnosperm Wood From The Entre-Sambre-Et-Meuse, Southern Belgium

peer reviewed ; Specimens of Miocene fossil wood from the Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse karsts (southern Belgium) were examined using physicochemical and biochemical techniques in order to understand the reasons for the exceptional preservation of these fossilized remains after 15 million years. Structural and chemical changes were assessed by comparing the structural features of the fossil samples with those of their modern counterpart, Metaseguoia. Solid state C-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and microscopic analysis showed good preservation of the cellulose structure in the fossil wood from th... Mehr ...