Duxite – Fossil resin of Miocene age

Abstract A series of Miocene fossil resin from the northwest part of the Czech Republic, called duxite, has been analyzed by elemental, microscopic, gas chromatography (GC/MS), pyrolysis-gas chromatography, Fourier Transform infrared (FTIR), and Raman techniques. The set of samples consisted of museum, contemporary and artificially altered samples. The results of GC/MS revealed fine variances in chemical structure among the samples, which could be attributed to the geologic paleosituation during resin deposition, as was verified by alteration of a sample under different conditions. Sesquiterpenes, including α-cedrene and cuparene, were identified in sample extracts and sample pyrolysates together with diterpenoid members abietanes, pimaranes, and dehydroabietanes. The distribution and intensity of functional groups of FTIR spectra also confirmed that the duxite samples were fossilised exudates from a member of the Cupressaceae conifer family. Raman spectra supported this record indicating aromatic character of duxite and higher maturity of the samples. The chemical composition indicated that duxite is a member of Class IV resins of the fossil resin classification system. Members of this group do not have a polymeric structure. This nonpolymerizable behaviour was confirmed by their excellent solubility in an organic solvent and the low softening point of the material. Our results therefore provide a valuable insight into the duxite-producing process and its potential for evaluating the geological environment and diagenetic conditions.