Recognition of archeological materials underwater by laser induced breakdown spectroscopy

The detection of different materials immersed in seawater has been studied by means of Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy. The plasma emission was produced by a Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser operated at 1064 nm in a dual pulse mode. Different classes of materials potentially found in the undersea archaeological parks, such as iron, copper-based alloys, precious alloys, marble and wood have been examined. Data acquisition and processing were optimized for better signal control and in order to improve the detection threshold. In all the examined cases but wood, qualitative analysis was successful and allowed for the material recognition. The spectral features necessary to clearly distinguish marble materials from calcareous rocks have been also established. It was found that these characteristic spectral intervals could be also used for the recognition of sedimentary layers deposited on the underwater findings. Quantitative chemical analysis was also performed on submerged bronze samples, after generating calibration curves with standards of similar matrix composition.