Tracking organic matrix in the seashell by elemental mapping under laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Lihui Ren; Shoujie Li; Wangquan Ye; Qi Lv; Yuxin Sun; Xuan Zhou; Shanshan Lian; Jia Lv; Shi Wang; Jinjia Guo; Ye Tian; Ronger Zheng; Yuan Lu

doi:10.1016/j.talanta.2024.125658

Tracking organic matrix in the seashell by elemental mapping under laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Talanta. 2024 May 1:271:125658. doi: 10.1016/j.talanta.2024.125658. Epub 2024 Jan 10.

Authors

Lihui Ren¹, Shoujie Li², Wangquan Ye², Qi Lv³, Yuxin Sun¹, Xuan Zhou³, Shanshan Lian⁴, Jia Lv⁴, Shi Wang⁴, Jinjia Guo², Ye Tian², Ronger Zheng², Yuan Lu⁵

Affiliations

¹ College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, PR China; Single-Cell Center, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266101, PR China.
² College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, PR China.
³ Single-Cell Center, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266101, PR China.
⁴ MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, PR China.
⁵ College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, PR China. Electronic address: luyuan@ouc.edu.cn.

PMID: 38219325
DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2024.125658

Abstract

As a biogenic calcium carbonate, the seashell plays a crucial role in marine environmental studies. In these studies, it is essential to investigate the composition of the seashell. In this study, we used laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) to analyze the elemental composition of cultured scallop-shell (Patinopecten yessoensis), with a specific focus on examining the organic elements (C, N, O, H) to track the shell organic matrix (SOM). Our findings indicate that the seashell organic layer can be accurately identified by referencing the strong emission of nitrogen or the low signal of calcium. To further confirm the presence of this layer, we employed fluorescence spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and FTIR spectroscopy. Correlation analysis revealed a strong connection between LIBS emissions (H, O, CC) and seashell organics, as well as demonstrated the presence of organics in metallic emissions (Si, Ba). However, when we conducted elemental mapping on the shell cross-section, the distribution similarity was observed between the elements N, Ba, and Sr. Based on the correlation of organics and the distribution similarity, it is concluded that barium is an element associated with the SOM. These results highlight the potential of LIBS for organic analysis, which can complement traditional seashell analysis.

Keywords: Elemental mapping; LIBS; Organic matrix; Seashells.