Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/22746
Title: The potential for portable X-ray fluorescence determination of soil copper at ancient metallurgy sites, and considerations beyond measurements of total concentrations
Contributor(s): Tighe, Matthew  (author)orcid ; Rogan, G (author); Wilson, Susan C  (author)orcid ; Grave, Peter  (author)orcid ; Kealhofer, L (author); Yukongdi, P (author)
Publication Date: 2018
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.10.052
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/22746
Abstract: Copper (Cu) at ancient metallurgy sites represents the earliest instance of anthropogenically generated metal pollution. Such sites are spread across a wide range of environments from Eurasia to South America, and provide a unique opportunity to investigate the past and present extent and impact of metalworking contamination. Establishing the concentration and extent of soil Cu at archaeometallurgy sites can enhance archaeological interpretations of site use but can also, more fundamentally, provide an initial indication of contamination risk from such sites. Systematic evaluations of total soil Cu concentrations at ancient metalworking sites have not been conducted, due in part to the limitations of conventional laboratory-based protocols. In this paper, we first review what is known about Cu soil concentrations at ancient metallurgy sites. We then assess the benefits and challenges of portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (pXRF) as an alternative, rapid technique for the assessment of background and contaminant levels of Cu in soils. We conclude that pXRF is an effective tool for identifying potential contamination. Finally, we provide an overview of some major considerations beyond total Cu concentrations, such as bioavailability assessments, that will need to be considered at such sites to move toward a complete assessment of environmental and human risk.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Source of Publication: Journal of Environmental Management, v.206, p. 373-382
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Place of Publication: United Kingdom
ISSN: 1095-8630
0301-4797
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: 050206 Environmental Monitoring
050205 Environmental Management
050304 Soil Chemistry (excl. Carbon Sequestration Science)
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: 410404 Environmental management
410604 Soil chemistry and soil carbon sequestration (excl. carbon sequestration science)
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: 960508 Ecosystem Assessment and Management of Mining Environments
960908 Mining Land and Water Management
960511 Ecosystem Assessment and Management of Urban and Industrial Environments
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: 180601 Assessment and management of terrestrial ecosystems
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal
Appears in Collections:Journal Article
School of Environmental and Rural Science
School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences

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