Obsidian hydration profiles measured by sputter-induced optical emission.
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.
Tsong
I S
IS
Houser
C A
CA
Yusef
N A
NA
Messier
R F
RF
White
W B
WB
Michels
J W
JW