title: Magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging for the study of fossils.
abstract: Computed tomography (CT) has long been used for investigating palaeontological specimens, as it is a nondestructive technique which avoids the need to dissolve or ionize the fossil sample. However, magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have recently gained ground as analytical tools for examination of palaeontological samples, by nondestructively providing information about the structure and composition of fossils. While MRI techniques are able to reveal the three-dimensional geometry of the trace fossil, MRS can provide information on the chemical composition of the samples. The multidimensional nature of MR (magnetic resonance) signals has potential to provide rich three-dimensional data on the palaeontological specimens and also to help in elucidating paleopathological and paleoecological questions. In this work the verified applications and the emerging uses of MRI and MRS in paleontology are reviewed, with particular attention to fossil spores, fossil plants, ambers, fossil invertebrates, and fossil vertebrate studies.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Council of Research, via G. Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy. Electronic address: giovannetti@ifc.cnr.it.
authors.forename: Giulio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giovannetti
authors.affiliation: Sezione Paleontologica GAPL (Gruppo Archeologico e Paleontologico Livornese), Museo di Storia Naturale del Mediterraneo, via Roma, 234, 57127 Leghorn, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guerrini
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Council of Research, via G. Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Piero A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Salvadori
mesh_terms: D005580:Fossils / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D010163:Paleontology
keywords: Fossil; Magnetic resonance imaging; Magnetic resonance spectroscopy; Paleonthology