ɪn vˈɜːɾɪbɹˌeɪts, ˈæpɐtˌaɪt fɹʌm bˈoʊn mˈɪnɚɹəl, tˈuːθ ɪnˈæməl ænd dˈɛntɪn kəntˈeɪnz fˈɑːsfeɪt pˌiːˈoʊ fˈoːɹ θɹˈiː mˈaɪnəs ɡɹˈuːps wˌɪtʃ mˈeɪ pɹɪzˈɜːv ðɪ ˈɑːksɪdʒən ˈaɪsətˌoʊp ɹˈeɪʃɪˌoʊz ʌv ɛnvˌaɪɹənmˈɛntəl wˈɔːɾɚ.
In vertebrates, apatite from bone mineral, tooth enamel and dentin contains phosphate [PO4]3− groups which may preserve the oxygen isotope ratios of environmental water.