Japanese researchers have recently discovered a surprising link between fossilized fish and modern technological machinery. They were able to determine that the fossils dated from about 34.5 million years ago.
Some of the tools and appliances that contained these fossils are LED TVs, wind turbines, rechargeable batteries, and other digital displays. The researchers analyzed rare-earth minerals and yttrium (REY), a metallic element long used in manufacturing electronic goods. Furthermore, they found that ancient fossilized fish were crucial in forming the deposits.
The full findings of the study were published in the journal Nature Scientific Reports on June 18, 2020.
Where are REY Deposits Usually Found?
REY deposits can usually be detected in coaster regions. In particular, the Chinese coastal areas have a lot of these deposits. However, their exact location could be difficult to pinpoint or challenging to get to. Researchers say that this is because the deposits are situated deep under the sea. Additionally, they say it could be costly finding new deposit locations.
The research team studied a newly found deposit off the Minamitorishima coast. The remote island could be found in the North Pacific region of Japan. There, they compared the structure and composition of age-old fish fossils found on the site.
Moreover, the scientists analyzed the chemical composition of the REY deposits. They wrote in their paper that they found that the fossils played a significant role in the build-up of the REY deposits. In addition, they believe that it could be used as a gauge for future deposit locations.
Junichiro Ohta, the lead author from the University of Tokyo, said that two factors led to the deposit of REY. First was the wide range of nutrients gathered on the ocean floor. Second, he said, is that the Earth experienced cooling, which caused alterations in sea currents that stirred up the nutrient deposits.
He concludes that the seamounts then brought upwellings of nutrients, which delivered them to the fish, that thrived as a result. Furthermore, when breeds of the ancient fish began to fossilize, their remains engaged new minerals that mixed with the nutrients. This created a ground for what would later transform into the future REY deposit.
An Easier Find For Future Mineral Deposits
Ohta says he was content with their discovery using fragments of teeth and bones. Although challenging, he claims the task of comparing and uncovering fossils was satisfying.
Additionally, he says they dated the deposits by measuring the ratio of osmium isotopes in seawater enclosed in mud containing concentrations of REY. To establish their records, they compared those fossils.
While REY deposits remain to be abundant around the world, the team hopes their research will make it less complicated to identify new origins for extraction.
Finally, Ohta concludes that based on their new theory for the genesis of REY deposits, other scientists can improve the method of finding future deposits. He adds that targeting the feet of large seamounts on the seabed, many minerals which are distributed from the western North Pacific Ocean to the Central Pacific Ocean could still be detected.
