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FORENSIC CLASSIFICATION OF METEORITES: THE CASE OF AN ORIENTED SPECIMEN FROM THE BELGIAN ANTARCTIC METEORITE COLLECTION
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Introduction: The meteorite classification processes require a sequence of semi-destructive to destructive analyses to elucidate the internal texture and chemical composition of the sample. Several methods have been proposed for classifying meteorites using a non-destructive approach such as magnetic susceptibility [1] or 3D petrographic analysis [2]. Specimens with unique orientation forms such as cone or shield-shaped, are often prioritized for non-destructive classification due to their significant exhibition value and insight into the aerodynamics of extraterrestrial material during their atmospheric entrance [3,4]. In this study, we present a description employing non-destructive analysis to classify a newly found flattened shield-shaped Antarctic meteorite discovered during the Belgian meteorite reconnaissance expedition 2022-2023 in the Sør Rondane area, East Antarctica [5]. This approach promises to provide detailed internal structural and information on physical properties without compromising the integrity of the sample. Methods: We utilized the X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) RX Solutions EasyTom150 device at the Institute of Natural Sciences (Brussels, Belgique) to analyze the sample with dimensions of 37.1 mm x 44.0 mm x 52.6 mm (Fig. 1). A copper filter of 0.4 mm was used. The sample was scanned at a voxel size of 58.2 μm using the large focal spot mode at 145 kV, 38 W and 260 μA. We employed the program 3D Slicer [6] to analyze the three-dimensional properties and calculate the physical parameters. Additionally, magnetic susceptibility measurements were conducted on the field using an SM30 instrument. Preliminary results: Various forms of deformation, notably radial extension features, were detected, likely indicative of shock experiences undergone by the sample before entering the Earth’s atmosphere, hence corroborating its extraterrestrial origin (Fig. 1). Preliminary magnetic susceptibility measurement on the field indicated a value typical of L chondrites (log χ ~ 4.7 [5]). The interior XCT slices reveal that the sample comprises a dense metallic phase with few non-metallic inclusions, primarily located on the face opposite to the entry direction (red arrow in Fig. 1b). The total volume measures 22.09 cm3, with a corresponding mass of 151.1 g, indicating a meteorite bulk density of 6.8 g cm-3 comparable to iron meteorites (bulk density between 7 and 8 g cm-3 [7]). This is at odds with the preliminary magnetic susceptibility measurement. Additional non-destructive analyzes will be needed, notably μ-XRF measurements to offer a better comprehension of the origin of the sample. This underlines the difficulty of classifying a sample in a non-destructive manner
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RBINS Staff Publications 2024
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From brown to blue water: Unraveling spatio-temporal variations in the organic matter content of suspended particulate matter
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RBINS Staff Publications 2023
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From toad to frog: osteological description and taxonomic reattribution of the 'mummified' holotype of Bufo servatus, an Eocene anuran, based on micro-CT examination
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The Quercy Phosphorites are a set of Eocene-Oligocene deposits from South-West France that yielded numerous vertebrate fossils, including amphibians, mostly as isolated bones. However, in 1873, several exceptional amphibian specimens were discovered, with the external surface of the unmineralized tissues preserved, and were commonly referred as “mummies”. In the 19th century, they were described without any knowledge of their internal anatomy. Since 2012, we have started scanning these “mummies”, revealing the preserved internal soft tissues and articulated skeleton. A first specimen was attributed in 2013 to Thaumastosaurus gezei and we here present our results from the tomography of a second “mummified” anuran, previously identified as Bufo servatus. The tomography showed a preserved articulated skeleton, and its osteological characteristics are similar to the first scanned anuran “mummy”, representing different ontogenetic stages. Both are now both attributed to Thaumastosaurus servatus nov. comb. The new anatomical information is used to assess the affinities of T. servatus, which appears to belong to the Pyxicephalidae, an African anuran clade. Thaumastosaurus thus represents both the oldest occurrence of this clade in the fossil record and its first occurrence outside of Africa. Its presence in Europe highlights a faunistic exchange with Africa during the Eocene, also documented for several clade of squamates. The presence of this African herpetofauna in Europe might be linked to the warmer climate during the Eocene. However, most of this herpetofauna, including Thaumastosaurus, disappeared from the region around an extinction event (named the “Grande Coupure”) that took place around the Eocene/Oligocene transition (~34 Ma).
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RBINS Staff Publications 2021
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Geo-techno-economic assessment of CO2 capture, transport, and storage chain options for a cement plant in Germany
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RBINS Staff Publications 2024
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Geophysical well log correlations in the Quaternary deposits of the Campine area, northern Belgium
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RBINS Staff Publications 2021
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H3O: the legacy of a decade of cross-border 3D geological modelling.
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RBINS Staff Publications 2023
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H2020 Eurofleets+ Data Management: an integrated data stewardship approach across multidisciplinary Transnational Access cruises
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In the scope of H2020 Eurofleets+ project, 28 Transnational Access cruises were funded to conduct multidisciplinary scientific research projects. In order to achieve Open data FAIRness, an integrated data management approach has been set up in synergy with the pan-European SeaDataNet infrastructure involving three NODCs as core partners. It resulted in the collection of a tremendous amount of data from which 66% had been preserved, more than 40% made Findable and 30% Interroperable. Achieving successful data management was allowed by a close collaboration and good communication between scientists and NODCs.
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Human presence in the Salle de la structure of the Bruniquel cave, France, inferred from speleothem studies. in press
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RBINS Staff Publications 2021
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Ibeceten, a window into the anuran diversity of the African Cretaceous
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The Cretaceous is a key period for anurans, as several clades, such as the aquatic Pipidae and the speciose Neobatrachia (~96 % of extant taxa) underwent a rapid and vast diversification. This event is considered to have taken place on Gondwana, as it was breaking apart into several continents, including South America and Africa. Fossiliferous sites from this period from both continents are key to understand how this diversification unravelled. Unfortunately, few cretaceous sites with anuran remains are known from Africa. Among them is the Ibeceten site from the Coniacian-Santonian of Niger. Located in the South-East of Niger, this site has been the subject of several field campaigns during the 1970s by the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Paris. The peculiar pipid Pachycentrata taqueti was described in 1998. However, most of the material remained undescribed. Here we present a thorough study of the anuran material from Ibeceten, which leads to the recognition of a new taxon. New anatomical studies suggest the presence of at least six taxa, although numerous bone fragments remain unattributable. This makes Ibeceten the most diverse anuran fauna of the African fossil record. Half of the identified taxa belong to Pipimorpha (total-group of Pipidae), while another one is an ornamented anuran that resembles the cretaceous neobatrachians from South America. Among the pipids, one new taxon should be erected. Phylogenetic analysis of pipimorphs places two Ibeceten taxa among the pipids. The presence of more than one pipid shows that the clade was already diversified during the early Late Cretaceous, and that the clade might have emerged in Africa, before spreading to South America. In addition, the putative presence of a neobatrachian shows that the clade was already widespread in South America and West Africa.
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Implementing geological and economic uncertainty in a techno-economic analysis of deep geothermal energy projects
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RBINS Staff Publications 2024
