Baltic amber

Geologic context and extraction of Baltic amber

• Baltic amber is the largest known deposit of amber in the world.
• It was produced during the Eocene epoch, but the exact timing is debated.
• The forests in the Baltic region created over 100,000 tons of amber.
• More than 90% of the world's amber comes from Kaliningrad Oblast in Russia.
• The Kaliningrad Amber Combine extracted 250 tonnes of amber in 2014 and 400 tonnes in 2015.

Baltic amber tree

• The origin of Baltic amber is coniferous.
• The resin that became amber was initially believed to be produced by the tree Pinites succinifer, but recent research suggests it originates from several species.
• The family Sciadopityaceae, specifically the Japanese umbrella pine (Sciadopitys verticillata), may be responsible for the resin.
• The identification of the tree species is based on Fourier-transform infrared microspectroscopy (FTIR) analysis.
• The Japanese umbrella pine is the only extant representative of the Sciadopityaceae family.

Structure and properties of Baltic amber

• Baltic amber has a complex structure.
• It is not a polymer but has a macromolecular structure arranged in a crosslinked network.
• The structure gives amber its density, hardness, and resistance to external factors.
• The pores in the structure are filled by components of molecular structure, such as mono- and sesquiterpenes.
• The supramolecular structure allows for the preservation of plant and animal inclusions.

Paleobiology of Baltic amber

• Baltic amber contains numerous extinct genera and species of plants and animals.
• Insects make up over 98% of the animal inclusions in Baltic amber.
• Other arthropods, annelids, molluscs, nematodes, and protozoans contribute less than 0.5%.
• Vertebrates, including mammal fur, feathers, and reptiles, make up another 0.5%.
• Baltic amber provides valuable insights into ancient ecosystems and biodiversity.

Other sources and related topics

• Amber Coast, Dominican amber, Japanese amber, and Ukrainian amber are other notable sources of amber.
• These different sources of amber contribute to our understanding of amber's geological distribution.
• Fossil insects in Baltic amber, including new species and discoveries, are extensively studied.
• Other fossil organisms in Baltic amber, such as snails and ants, have also been identified.
• References and additional resources provide further information and research on Baltic amber.

Baltic amber Data Sources