CHANGES IN THE METAL CONTENT OF HUMAN HAIRDURING DIAGENESIS FROM 500 YEARS, EXPOSURE TOGLACIAL AND AQUEOUS ENVIRONMENTS

摘要

Scanning electron microscopy, inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry have been used to examine the extent and possiblemechanisms by which the metal content of human hair is altered by exposure to aqueousenvironments. The results, using both modern hair and samples from 500-year-old hairassociated with glacier-entombed remains, show that the metal content has been alteredsufficiently so that the interpretation of the metal signature in terms of diet or disease isproblematic. While endogenous information is difficult to glean from these data, interestingobservations have been made of possible early stages of mineral authigenic deposition. Thechemistry of the outer hair surface was found to he consistent with deposition of Fe and Alsilicates, as well as other mineral phases. The ancient hair was analysed at the root region andincluded a comparison of the internal versus external composition to assist in identifying thediagenetic processes.