The Woodward Mammoth was discovered near Prineville, Oregon in the USA in 2019 and donated to Eastern Oregon University. This study begins an investigation of the range and life-history of the individual mammoth specimen that was recovered, using isotopic analysis of Strontium. Different species of plants uptake Strontium isotopes at differential rates, leading to an isotopic ratio signal that is preserved following the consumption of the plant and incorporation of the consumed Strontium into the next trophic level. Isotopic analysis of Strontium can therby provide information on they diet and geographic range of a consumer at the time of injestion. This type of isotopic analysis is typically performed using teeth, as the chemical similarity of Calcium and Strontium allows for the incorporation of Strontium into dentin. Unfortunately, no teeth were collected during the recovery of the Woodward Mammoth. This study was undertaked to quantify the amount of total Strontium present in fossilized Mammoth tusks and to assess the utility of tusk material as an alternative material for isotopic analysis. Samples were collected from each of six distinct growth rings of an individual tusk and digested in nitric acid. The resulting extracts were neutralized and total Stontium measured by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy using Lanthanum Chloride to supress interferrants. Analysis results indicate Strontium concentrations of 40-60 μg Strontium / g tusk material, which is more than sufficient for isotopic analysis. Future analysis using ICP-MS will produce Strontium isotopic ratios and allow for comparison to era-approprate plants and their distribution for range determination.

Determination of Strontium in fossil tusks of the Woodward Mammoth

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