Intra- and inter-tooth variation in strontium isotope ratios from prehistoric seals by laser ablation multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Strontium isotope ratios (⁸⁷ Sr/⁸⁶ Sr) in modern-day marine environments are considered to be homogeneous (~0.7092). However, in the Baltic Sea, the Sr ratios are controlled by mixing seawater and continental drainage from major rivers discharging into the Baltic. This pilot study explores if variations in Sr can be detected in marine mammals from archaeological sites in the Baltic Sea.

Methods

⁸⁷ Sr/⁸⁶ Sr ratios were measured in tooth enamel from three seal species by laser ablation multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-MC-ICP-MS). The method enables micro-sampling of solid materials. This is the first time that the method has been applied to marine samples from archaeological collections.

R

SUBMITTER: Glykou A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6033018 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature