Exploring lead exposure in ancient Chilean mummies using a single strand of hair by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS)

Bartkus, Luke; Amarasiriwardena, Dulasiri; Arriaza, Bernardo; Bellis, David J.; Yáñez, Jorge

doi:10.1016/j.microc.2011.02.008

Cited by 47 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 48 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…This is particularly true considering that Atacama Desert populations have continually lived in mineral-rich environments that affected, are affecting, and will continue to cause suffering on local populations. [58][59][60] We propose that endemic pollutants permanently affected ancient Andean populations.…”

Section: Arseniasis In the Pastmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…ones Valley, where the oldest anthropogenic mummies are found (the Chinchorro), and the development of complex artificial mummification practices. His proposition is based on the fact that Camarones Valley (Figure 1) has one of the highest levels of arsenic contamination in river water in the world (1,000 μg/L),45,58,60,64 the oldest known anthropogenically mummified fetuses and newborns have been found in the Camarones Valley; and, it is known in modern context that pregnant women living in environments rich in arsenic suffer from…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Living in poisoning environments: Invisible risks and human adaptation

Arriaza

Amarasiriwardena

Standen

et al. 2018

Evolutionary Anthropology

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This article describes the hidden natural chemical contaminants present in a unique desert environment and their health consequences on ancient populations. Currently, millions of people are affected worldwide by toxic elements such as arsenic. Using data gathered from Atacama Desert mummies, we discuss long‐term exposure and biocultural adaptation to toxic elements. The rivers that bring life to the Atacama Desert are paradoxically laden with arsenic and other minerals that are invisible and tasteless. High intake of these toxic elements results in severe health and behavioral problems, and even death. We demonstrate that Inca colonies, from Camarones 9 site, were significantly affected by chemical contaminants in their food and water. It appears however, some modern‐day Andean populations resist the elevated levels of arsenic exposure as a result of positive selection mediated via the arsenic methyltransferase enzyme and display more tolerance to high chemical doses. This article further debate the effects of natural pollution and biocultural adaptation of past populations.

show abstract

Section: Arseniasis In the Pastmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Living in poisoning environments: Invisible risks and human adaptation

Arriaza

Amarasiriwardena

Standen

et al. 2018

Evolutionary Anthropology

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…No analysis of hair for total mercury content can separate the exogenous and endogenous influence . However, in the literature, there are solutions to this problem: (a) inorganic mercury is most likely to come in exogenously, whereas organic mercury endogenously; (b) examination of the distribution of the chemical element across a cross section of a hair, as well as of the concentration gradient along its length, may indicate the nature of the element income …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It allows one to reduce the probing volume up to micrometers and nanometers . This method has allowed for investigation of different biological, geological, and archeological samples . However, the quantitative determination of elemental content remains a task to be solved in each separate case.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mercury in archeological hair samples from Xiongnu burials (Noin‐Ula, Mongolia): SR XRF and CXRM analysis

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A technique has been developed for determining mercury content in the concentration range of 1–1000 μg/g in hair samples by X‐ray fluorescence analysis using synchrotron radiation (synchrotron radiation X‐ray fluorescence, Siberian Synchrotron and Terahertz Radiation Center, Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics SB RAS). The mercury content was identified in archeological hair samples from an ancient burial of Xiongnu nobility (Mongolia, mound 22, 1st century BC–1st century AD); the content values were elevated (up to 1100 μg/g) in all the samples (n = 41). An X‐ray microanalysis using polycapillary lenses in a confocal scheme (confocal X‐ray microscopy station) was developed at the Synchrotron radiation X‐ray fluorescence to establish mercury distribution in a cross section of hair shaft with a spatial resolution of 5 μm. The findings of the study make it possible to assume exogenous income of mercury (from the burial environment) to the hair.

show abstract

“…This follows the traditional practices of the Atacameños (original ethnic group), who have lived in the arsenical environments of the Atacama Desert for the last 5000 to 6000 years. [11][12][13] In Chile, the origin of arsenic contamination of surface and underground waters is generally associated to natural bio-geochemical processes such as the solubilization of arsenical minerals, like enargite (Cu 3 AsS 4 ) and arsenopyrite (FeAsS). [1] Additionally, arsenic toxicity and bioavailability are closely related to its chemical form.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Urinary arsenic speciation profile in ethnic group of the Atacama desert (Chile) exposed to variable arsenic levels in drinking water

Yáñez

Mansilla

Santander

et al. 2014

Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Ethnic groups from the Atacama Desert (known as Atacameños) have been exposed to natural arsenic pollution for over 5000 years. This work presents an integral study that characterizes arsenic species in water used for human consumption. It also describes the metabolism and arsenic elimination through urine in a chronically exposed population in northern Chile. In this region, water contained total arsenic concentrations up to 1250 μg L(-1), which was almost exclusively As(V). It is also important that this water was ingested directly from natural water sources without any treatment. The ingested arsenic was extensively methylated. In urine 93% of the arsenic was found as methylated arsenic species, such as monomethylarsonic acid [MMA(V)] and dimethylarsinic acid [DMA(V)]. The original ingested inorganic species [As(V)], represent less than 1% of the total urinary arsenic. Methylation activity among individuals can be assessed by measuring primary [inorganic As/methylated As] and secondary methylation [MMA/DMA] indexes. Both methylation indexes were 0.06, indicating a high biological converting capability of As(V) into MMA and then MMA into DMA, compared with the control population and other arsenic exposed populations previously reported.

show abstract

Exploring lead exposure in ancient Chilean mummies using a single strand of hair by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS)

Cited by 47 publications

References 48 publications

Living in poisoning environments: Invisible risks and human adaptation

Living in poisoning environments: Invisible risks and human adaptation

Mercury in archeological hair samples from Xiongnu burials (Noin‐Ula, Mongolia): SR XRF and CXRM analysis

Urinary arsenic speciation profile in ethnic group of the Atacama desert (Chile) exposed to variable arsenic levels in drinking water

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About