Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Microanalysis of Trace Elements in Homo sapiens Teeth

F. C. ALVIRA, F. RAMIREZ ROZZI AND G. M. BILMES

APPLIED SPECTROSCOPY REVIEWS

TAYLOR & FRANCIS INC

Lugar: New York; Año: 2010 vol. 64 p. 313 - 319

0570-4928

Two of the main items from which to retrieve data in anthropology areteeth and bones. Identification of trace elements in their compositionallows valuable information to be obtained about alimentary habits andcommunity life conditions of groups and individuals. Conventionalmethods used to determine the presence of trace elements require samplepreparation, with partial or total destruction of the pieces, which in mostcases are unique. In this work we show the possibilities of laser-inducedbreakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) as a nearly nondestructive tool inanthropology and paleontology for the measurement of the presenceand distribution of trace elements in teeth. We applied LIBS to thedetermination of strontium and magnesium in dentin and enamel ofNeolithic, middle age, and modern Homo sapiens teeth. Mg/Ca and Sr/Cadistribution maps of dentin and enamel in modern teeth were createdusing the data obtained. Ablation threshold fluences of dentin and enamelwere also measured using the photoacoustic signal induced by laserablation. Significant variations were found in the Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca ratiosin the tooth dental tissue and between the teeth of the groups andindividuals studied. These results can be useful for evolutionaryanthropology studies as they can provide information regarding earlynutrition, seasonality, and residential mobility.Index Headings: Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy; LIBS; Homosapiens teeth; Trace analysis.