Abstract
This paper presents a combination of elemental and isotopic spatial distribution imaging with near-infrared hyperspectral imaging (NIR-HSI) to evaluate the diagenetic status of skeletal remains. The aim is to assess how areas with biogenic n(87Sr)/n(86Sr) isotope-amount ratios may be identified in bone material, an important recorder complementary to teeth. Elemental (C, P, Ca, Sr) and isotopic (n(87Sr)/n(86Sr)) imaging were accomplished via laser ablation (LA) coupled in a split stream to a quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-QMS) and a multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (MC ICP-MS) (abbreviation for the combined method LASS ICP-QMS/MC ICP-MS). Biogenic areas on the bone cross section, which remained unaltered by diagenetic processes, were localized using chemical indicators (I(C)/I(Ca) and I(C) × 10/I(P) intensity ratios) and NIR-HSI at a wavelength of 1410 nm to identify preserved collagen. The n(87Sr)/n(86Sr) isotope signature analyzed in these areas was in agreement with the biogenic bulk signal revealed by solubility profiling used as an independent method for validation. Elevated C intensities in the outer rim of the bone, caused by either precipitated secondary minerals or adsorbed humic materials, could be identified as indication for diagenetic alteration. These areas also show a different n(87Sr)/n(86Sr) isotopic composition. Therefore, the combination of NIR-HSI and LASS ICP-QMS/MC ICP-MS allows for the determination of preserved biogenic n(87Sr)/n(86Sr) isotope-amount ratios, if the original biogenic material has not been entirely replaced by diagenetic material. Graphical abstract ᅟ.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 565-580 |
Number of pages | 15 |
Journal | Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry |
Volume | 411 |
Issue number | 3 |
Early online date | 4 Dec 2018 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 31 Jan 2019 |
Bibliographical note
This project was supported by the COMET-K1 competence center FFoQSI. The COMET-K1 competence center FFoQSI is funded by the Austrian ministries BMVIT, BMDW, and the Austrian provinces Niederoesterreich, Upper Austria, and Vienna within the scope of COMET - Competence Centers for Excellent Technologies. The program COMET is handled by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency FFG. We acknowledge the ERASMUS+ program for financial support.Keywords
- Diagenesis
- LASS ICP-QMS/MC ICP-MS
- Near-infrared hyperspectral imaging
- Human bone remains
- Reproducibility of Results
- Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared/methods
- Humans
- Humic Substances/analysis
- Strontium Isotopes/chemistry
- Molecular Imaging/methods
- Animals
- Lasers
- Mass Spectrometry/methods
- Bone and Bones/chemistry
- FOSSIL BONE
- HIGH-THROUGHPUT DETERMINATION
- MC ICP-MS
- STRONTIUM ISOTOPES
- PLASMA-MASS SPECTROMETRY
- SR/MATRIX SEPARATION METHOD
- TEETH
- RATIO MEASUREMENTS
- PRESERVATION
- TRACE-ELEMENTS
- TOOTH ENAMEL
- LASS ICP-QMS