The carbon origin of structural carbonate in bone apatite of cremated bones

Abstract

In order to reveal a possible carbon exchange between carbon dioxide of the fuel and the bone apatite during the cremation process an experiment was set up using fossil fuel. Two setups were constructed, one using natural gas and one using coal. In both experiments, a carbon substitution in the apatite was revealed. © 2010 by the Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of the University of Arizona.