Books: Analyzing the Past - Analytical Chemistry (ACS Publications)

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Books

A Sensitive But Underused Technique atomization sources. In contrast with Chapters 1 and 2, which are mostly addressed to and those already experienced in laser spectroscopy, Chapter 3 provides a good introduction and overview to the technique and could be used by nonspecialists or anyone who wishes to understand laser-enhanced ionization. Moreover, a detailed compilation of the achievable limits of detection is given, illustrating the potential of this technique. Chapter 4 includes applications not only in the field of analysis but also for diagnostics such as the measurement of lifetime, atomization and ionization effiArchaeological Chemistry ciencies, and temperature. This part is A. Mark Pollard and Carl Heron relatively short, as this technique is still at Royal Society of Chemistry a research stage. Chapter 5 deals with Turpin Distribution Services alternative atomization sources such as Blackhorse Road, Letchworth electrothermal atomizers or plasmas. Herts SG6 1HN, United Kingdom 1996, 375 pp., £22.50; $38 Chapter 6 is important because it is devoted to the competitive and complementary aspects of laser-enhanced ioniza- Archaeologists routinely examine physition and laser-induced fluorescence, cal artifacts from the past to enhance which is the main alternative laser-based their understanding of human culture technique in terms of sensitivity. The dis- during ancient times. They frequently cussion about the combined use of these call upon chemical methods—and sometwo techniques for both analytical and times their colleagues from chemistry— diagnostic aspects is certainly one of the for assistance in analyzing artifacts to strong parts of this book. An extensive list determine their provenance (i.e., source) of references, including recent work, folor age, to investigate manufacturing lows each chapter. technologies, to detect frauds, and to identify appropriate preservation This book is an excellent and compremethods. hensive treatment of laser-enhanced ionization spectrometry from fundamental Among the oldest artifacts surviving and practical aspects, by experts who obthe wear of time are chipped-stone tools. viously have mastered their field. Its conBecause early humans experimented with tents should be of interest to analytical fire, water, and other natural ingredients chemists working in elemental ultratrace to produce objects made from pottery, determination, to laser spectroscopists glass, and metal alloys, the composition of because of the fine theoretical and experi- an artifact reflects the original chemistry mental considerations and the potential of a raw material source, the technologies for sophisticated diagnostics, and to eduused in its manufacture, and its subsecators who want to teach this technique at quent diagenesis. an advanced graduate level. As the first chapter of this book exReviewed by Jean-Michel Mermet, Uni-plains, the use of chemical analysis to gain insight into human culture is not new— versity of Lyon (France)

Analyzing the Past

Laser-Enhanced Ionization Spectrometry John C. Travis and Gregory C. Turk, Eds. John Wiley & Sons 605 Third Ave. New York, NY 10158 1996, 334 pp., $79.95

In contrast with most books devoted to analytical chemistry, this volume deals with a technique that is not yet commercially available. Laser-enhanced ionization spectrometry wasfirstdescribed two decades ago and consists of atomization of the sample, followed first by laser excitation of atoms to upper levels and then by collisional ionization. The selective ionization is therefore enhanced by the use of a tunable laser. Although this technique is potentially very attractive, particularly because of its low limits of detection it is still underused. The six chapters in this book cover the theoretical and experimental aspects of laser-enhanced ionization, as well as applications and comparisons with alternative methods. The first chapter provides a detailed treatment of the fundamental mechanisms of laser-enhanced production of ions, in particular the process of one- and two-step excitation. Chapter 2 is devoted to signal detection, which is one of the crucial points of the technique. Chapter 3 deals with the use of laserenhanced ionization with flames as atomization sources; this chapter is justified because flames are the most widely used 618 A

Analytical Chemistry News & Features, October 1, 1996

the earliest reported use of a chemical method to examine an archaeological material occurred nearly 200 years ago. Application of chemistry to archaeological studies remained an infrequent endeavor until the development of instrumental measurement techniques in the 1920s and 1930s. However, following the introduction of sensitive molecular, atomic, and nuclear techniques from the 1950s through the 1990s, an exponential growth in the number of studies involving archaeological chemistry has taken place. The second chapter introduces chemical analytical techniques that have found routine application in archaeological chemistry studies. Adequate background is presented tt explain how each method works, but without so much theoretical detail that an archaeologist is unable to follow the discussion. The next seven chapters use a thematic (rather than a technique-based) approach to describe the application of analytical methods to different categories of archaeological materials, such as obsidian, pottery, manmade glasses, metallic alloys of copper and zinc, organic resins, archaeological bone, and other metal alloys. Each presentation is such that archaeologists and chemists can appreciate the natural and human processes by which an artifact was produced, and they will be aware of the successes and limitations of analytical methods previously and currently used for interpretation. The final chapter summarizes the contributions of chemistry to archaeology and their impact on the interpretation of human behavior. Although the most important contributions are the development of scientific dating techniques and the use of compositional analysis for provenance studies, an ongoing debate continues about the value of the scientific approach to interpretation of material culture. Because human behavior is involved, it is important for both chemists and archaeologists to recognize

that chemical studies should be integrated disciplines as biology, chemistry, physics, with related studies of the social and culmedicine, and pharmacology. The 13 tural context of the common archaeological monographs cover such topics as timequestion. resolved fluorescence, two-photon excitaThe information in this book is well pre- tion microscopy, and nanoscale imaging and sensing with near-field optics. Each sented, and appropriate references are cited in each chapter. This book ii secommended chapter contains an extensive list of references, and a subject index is included. reading for chemists and archaeologists interested in a review of the current status of archaeological chemistry, as well as geoChromatographic Detectors: chemists, biochemists, and material scienDesign, Function, and tists interested in archaeological appllcations. Operation Reviewed by Michael D. Glascock, Uni-Raymond P. W. Scott versity ofMissouri Marcel Dekker

BOOKS RECEIVED Ion Exchange Developments and Applications J. A. Greig, Ed. Royal Society of Chemistry Turpin Distribution Services Blackhorse Road, Letchworth Herts SG6 1HN, United Kingdom 1996, 560 pp., £89.50

This volume contains the proceedings of the 7th International Ion Exchange Conference held in July 1996, including papers on water treatment, environmental applications, resin developments, hydrometallurgy, and separations. A brief subject index is included. Fluorescence Imaging Spectroscopy and Microscopy Xue Feng Wang and Brian Herman, Eds. John Wiley & Sons 605 Third Ave. New York, NY 10158 1996, 483 pp., $89.95

This book is intended to describe and evaluate emerging technologies and applications of fluorescence imaging in such

Cimarron Road Monticello, NY 12701 1996, 514 pp.. $150

This book is intended to provide a single source of practical information about the design, construction, and use of gas, liquid, and thin-layer chromatographic detectors for scientists at all levels. References are intentionally kept to a minimum to acknowledge the original inventor or to note works of particular relevance. A subject index is included. Microbiology for the Analytical Chemist R. K. Dart Royal Society of Chemistry Turpin Distribution Services Blackhorse Road, Letchworth Herts SG6 1HN, United Kingdom 1996, 200 pp., £19.50

This book presents the basics of microbiology for chemists who may be called upon to analyze samples or interpret results but who do not have a background in microbiology. The various microbial organisms are described, as well as methods for identifying and counting them. Chapters cover the practical aspects of food and water microbiology, sterilization issues, and the development of assays.

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