COMPARISON OF THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF THE FOSSIL AND RECENT OAK WOOD

Abstract

This study was perform to compare the chemical composition of fossil oak wood and recent oak wood. About 2500 years old fossil oak wood and 100 years old recent oak wood were examined. Samples were gained from the outer wood, middle wood and heartwood on the cross section of three stems (both fossil and recent). Contents of extractives, cellulose, 1 % NaOH soluble substances, lignin and ash were analysed. Additionally, concentrations of elements such as Ca, K, Mg, Fe, Mn, Na, Zn and Cu were examined. The results show that there is lower content of cellulose and higher content of lignin in fossil oak wood in relation to recent wood. There is also much higher amount of calcium and iron, and lower amount of potassium in fossil wood.