Sulfur and iron in shipwrecks cause conservation concerns.
Synchrotron-based sulfur X-ray absorption spectroscopy reveals considerable accumulation of organosulfur (e.g. thiols), pyrite and iron(II) sulfides in marine-archaeological wood preserved in seawater, e.g. for historical shipwrecks such as the Vasa and Mary Rose. In the museum, oxidation of the sulfur compounds in the presence of iron ions may cause severe acidity in the moist wood. This tutorial review discusses developments of conservation methods to remove acid and iron, and how to analyse and stabilise sulfur compounds in the wood.
Fors
Yvonne
Y
Department of Structural Chemistry, University of Stockholm, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden.
Sandström
Magnus
M
D001106:Archaeology / Q000379:methods; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D007501:Iron / Q000737:chemistry; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry; D012767:Ships; D013057:Spectrum Analysis / Q000379:methods; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000032:analysis*; D013440:Sulfides / Q000737:chemistry; D017356:Synchrotrons; D014934:Wood / Q000737:chemistry*; D014965:X-Rays
D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D013440:Sulfides; C011342:pyrite; D007501:Iron