Terpenoid composition and origin of amber from the Cape York Peninsula, Australia

Sonibare, O.O., Agbaje, O.B., Jacob, D.E., Faithfull, J. , Hoffmann, T. and Foley, S.F. (2014) Terpenoid composition and origin of amber from the Cape York Peninsula, Australia. Australian Journal of Earth Sciences, 61(7), pp. 979-985. (doi: 10.1080/08120099.2014.960897)

Abstract

The terpenoid composition of fossil resin from the Cape York Peninsula, Australia has been analysed by pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS)to determine its origin. The pyrolysis products were dominated by cadalene-based C15 bicyclic sesquiterpenoids including some C30-C31 bicadinanes and bicadinenes typical of Class II resin derived from angiosperm plants of Dipterocarpaceae. This observation contrasts with the Araucariaceae (Agathis sp.) source previously suggested for the resin based on Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analyses. Dipterocarpaceae are not known in Australian vegetation but grow abundantly in Southeast Asia including New Guinea, indicating that the geological origin of the amber is not the Australian mainland but could be traced to Southeast Asia.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Faithfull, Dr John
• Authors: Sonibare, O.O., Agbaje, O.B., Jacob, D.E., Faithfull, J., Hoffmann, T., and Foley, S.F.
• Subjects: Q Science > QE Geology; Q Science > QH Natural history; Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology; Q Science > QH Natural history > QH345 Biochemistry
• College/School: University Services > Library and Collection Services > Museum and Art Gallery
• Journal Name: Australian Journal of Earth Sciences
• Publisher: Geological Society of Australia
• ISSN: 0812-0099
• ISSN (Online): 1440-0952