In-situ elemental and sr isotope investigation of human tooth enamel by laser ablation-(MC)-ICP-MS: Successes and pitfalls

Trace element and Sr isotope data were obtained by laser ablation- and solution mode-(MC)-ICP-MS analysis for tooth enamel from remains excavated at the New Kingdom period Egyptian colonial and Nubian cemetery site of Tombos (Sudan). Elemental abundances determined by both methods of ICP-MS analysis yielded comparable values; however, Sr-87/Sr-86 values obtained by laser ablation were higher compared to their solution mode counterparts. This discrepancy is related to the production of a molecular interference-Ca + P + O (overlaps Sr-87); hence the higher Sr-87/Sr-86 values recorded during ablation analyses. Laser ablation studies of enamel may provide relatively precise Sr-87/Sr-86 values rather quickly but cannot be used for accurately deciphering historical population migrations.