Chapter 4 Atomic absorption spectrometry Flame AAS

Abstract

This chapter discusses the methods of atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Atomic absorption methods are most frequently used for the determination of trace metals in a wide range of materials. The two techniques used in the atomic absorption described are flame AAS and furnace AAS. Flame AAS is the best analytical technique available for samples that are most easily collected as solutions, if the analyte concentration is above the mg/L range in the solution. Atomic spectroscopy is inherently very specific and interferences that will reduce the bias below the level of the precision are few. Mercury and the ‘P’ block elements are very sensitively determined on flame atomic absorption instruments by separating the element from an appropriate sample solution as a gas which is swept into the monitoring optical system. An important advantage of these two techniques is that a relatively large sample is used, providing relative detection limits that are usually better than furnace AAS, much better than can be obtained with flame AAS. The determination of trace metals in biological materials with considerable attention to comparisons between the available analytical techniques are reviewed.