Magnesium distribution in paper subjected to deacidification investigated by means of Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy

Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA ICP MS) was used to investigate the distribution of magnesium in paper subjected to selected deacidification mass processes. Paper samples have been taken from the early XX century books, which had been previously deacidified with the use of either Book Saver or Bückeburg process. Both methods incorporate the use of magnesium compounds therefore the enrichment of the paper with magnesium was expected as a consequence of the undertaken deacidification. The aim of our investigation with the use of LA ICP MS was to evaluate a possible variety in magnesium distribution over paper within μ-meter resolution, depending on the applied process.