Obsidian hydration profiles measured by sputter-induced optical emission

Journal Article · Fri Jul 28 00:00:00 EDT 1978 · Science; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.201.4353.339· OSTI ID:6215287

Tsong, I S.T.; Houser, C A; Yusef, N A; Messier, R F; White, W B

The variation of concentrations of hydrogen, sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, silicon, and aluminum as a function of depth in the hydration layer of obsidian artifacts has been determined by sputter-induced optical emission. The surface hydration is accompanied by dealkalization, and there is a buildup of alkaline earths, calcium and magnesium in the outermost layers. These results have clarified the phenomena underlying the obsidian hydration dating technique.

• Research Organization: Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park
• OSTI ID: 6215287
• Journal Information: Science; (United States), Vol. 201:4353
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
ALUMINIUM
EMISSION SPECTROSCOPY
CALCIUM
HYDROGEN
LITHIUM
MAGNESIUM
POTASSIUM
SILICON
SODIUM
VOLCANIC ROCKS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SPECIMENS
ARGON IONS
DEPTH
GLASS
KEV RANGE 10-100
PHOTON EMISSION
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
SPUTTERING
VISIBLE RADIATION
ALKALI METALS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
CHARGED PARTICLES
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
DIMENSIONS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTS
EMISSION
ENERGY RANGE
FLUIDS
IGNEOUS ROCKS
IONS
KEV RANGE
METALS
NONMETALS
RADIATIONS
ROCKS
SEMIMETALS
SPECTROSCOPY
400104* - Spectral Procedures- (-1987)