Ivory sourcing using δ<15>^N and δ<13>^C measurements

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  • 象牙を用いた炭素・窒素安定同位体分析によるアフリカゾウの原産地判別の試み

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Abstract

For country soucing using ivory, a total of 81 country-known ivory samples from the southern African countries (South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe), the central African countries (Congo, Gabon and Zaire), and the eastern African countries (Sudan, Djibouti, and Ethiopia) were measured to obtain δ^<15>N and δ^<13>C values conducted by an ANCA-MS (Automatic Nitrogen and Carbon Analysis mass-spectrometry, Europa Scientific Ltd.). C/N, that is, ratio of %C to %N, is obtained from total ^<12>C and total ^<14>N data from the ANCA-MS. C/N for the collagen samples fell along the expected regression line for this protain, suggesting that the collagen extracted from the ivory samples were well purified protein. δ^<13>C values for collagen from South African ivory samples (-19.6±1.6‰)indicate a stronger dependence on C4 plants than do those from Central African samples (-26.1±1.6‰). δ^<13>C values for the 113 ivory samples from Kruger National Park in South Africa indicated that the δ^<15>N values for these samples had a correlation with a mean rainfall. High δ^<15>N values for samples from areas with lower rainfall was also suggested by van der Merwe et al.(1990). Seasonal variations in δ^<13>C values were obtained from so-called "soft ivory" samples, where the δ^<13>C values for transparent zones in annual layer indicated relatively stronger dependance on the C4 plants during a dry season.

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