Permineralizációval

Permineralizációval is a geological process of fossilization in which the pore spaces within an organism's original material are filled with precipitated minerals. This typically occurs when groundwater rich in dissolved minerals flows through the remains of a dead organism. As the water percolates through the porous structures of bone, shell, or wood, the minerals dissolved in the water crystallize and precipitate out of the solution, gradually filling the empty spaces. Over geological time, this process can preserve the fine details of the original structure, creating a rock-like replica of the organism.

The most common minerals involved in permineralization include silica (quartz), calcite (calcium carbonate), and pyrite (iron sulfide). The specific type of mineral deposited depends on the composition of the groundwater and the surrounding rock. Permineralization is a crucial mechanism for preserving fossils, allowing paleontologists to study ancient life. It is particularly effective for preserving hard parts like bones and teeth, but can also preserve plant material, exoskeletons, and even soft tissues under specific conditions, though the latter is much rarer. The resulting fossil is a composite of the original organic material and the deposited minerals.