A new method for relative Sr determination in human teeth enamel

J Anthropol Sci. 2011:89:153-60. doi: 10.4436/jass.89012. Epub 2011 Jul 1.

Abstract

We present a new method to determine Sr/Ca changes in hard dental tissues based on laser ablation and spectroscopic detection. By using femtosecond Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (fs-LIBS), we micro mapped the relative amount of strontium in the enamel of three human lower third molar. We also analyzed the Sr/Ca ratio along the striae of Retzius. Results show that microlibs allows detection of variation in relative Sr/Ca ratio through enamel. The same values of Sr/Ca ratio were found along a single stria. The method has a precision better than 95% and is sensitive enough to detect Sr/Ca ratio variations among striae and within stria. Fs-LIBS generates information in a fast and simple way that can be used by non-specialists to make inferences about diet or mobility in human populations and fossil hominids.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Anthropology, Physical
  • Calcium / analysis
  • Dental Enamel / chemistry*
  • Fossils
  • Humans
  • Molar, Third / anatomy & histology
  • Molar, Third / chemistry
  • Molar, Third / growth & development
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Spectrum Analysis / methods*
  • Strontium / analysis*

Substances

  • Calcium
  • Strontium