Determination of iron and copper in old manuscripts by slurry sampling graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

The analytical strategy for the evaluation of iron and copper distribution in ancient manuscript by slurry sampling graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA ICP-MS) is presented. The aim of the study was the investigation of ink corrosion in the written area of the ancient manuscript. GFAAS was used to determine the amount of both metals in micro-samples of paper. Determination is based on aqueous standards and the precision using slurry sampling varies in the range from 0.8 to 10.0% R.S.D. for iron and from 0.3 to 7.6% R.S.D. for copper. The content of iron and copper varies significantly between written (32.8 +/- 0.9 mg g(-1) of iron, 15.2 +/- 0.5 mg g(-1) of copper) and non-written (3.3 +/- 1.3 mg g(-1) of iron, 1.6 +/- 0.8 mg g(-1) of copper) areas of the investigated manuscript. LA ICP-MS was used to define the distribution patterns of iron and copper on the surface of the manuscript. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.