Stable Strontium Isotope Ratio Measurements of Prehistoric and Historic Human Bone Samples
Abstract
The primary aim of the project is the analytical setup for fast (including high sample throughput for statistical evaluation), precise and accurate measurement of strontium isotope ratios using HR-ICPMS (high-resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) and their application to ancient human skeletal remains from different localities for the reconstruction of migration processes. The analytical system of online matrix separation by HPLC and subsequent measurement of Sr isotope ratios by means of HR-ICPMS will therefore be set up, optimized and established as method for routine characterization. HR-ICPMS is a widely accepted reliable method for accurate and fast determination of isotope ratios with a precision better than 0.1% RSD. For Sr isotope ratio measurements this precision can be deemed sufficient; since there is enough natural variation in the Sr isotope ratio of the parent rocks, this ratio can be used to characterize and differentiate among local environments. The most important characteristics of isotope ratio measurements by ICPMS are the high sample throughput and comparatively negligible sample preparation prior to measurement, when compared with other techniques. A necessary technical prerequisite is the development of an online matrix separation of 87Rb (as 87Rb leads to an isobaric interference with 87Sr). This innovative approach will not only applied to analyze stable isotope ratios in human skeletal remains (of selected ancient series) but also in soil and rock samples, which should clarify possible diagenetic influences
keywords ICP-MS null null null strontium
Publikationen
Project staff
Thomas Prohaska
Ao.Univ.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn. Thomas Prohaska
thomas.prohaska@boku.ac.at
Project Leader
01.08.1998 - 31.07.2002
Gerhard Josef Stingeder
Univ.-Prof. i.R. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn. Gerhard Josef Stingeder
gerhard.stingeder@boku.ac.at
Project Staff
01.08.1998 - 31.07.2002
BOKU partners
External partners
Natural History Museum Vienna
Univ.-Doz. Dr. Maria Teschler-Nicola
partner