Field instrumentation in atomic spectroscopy

Abstract

The techniques of field analytical chemistry (FAC) have the potential to reduce both analysis time and cost by providing analytical data on site while eliminating the need for sample collection and transport. These methods could be of considerable interest in the fields of environmental monitoring and industrial process control. Much of FAC is accomplished through the use of portable analytical instruments. The emphasis of this review was on field-portable atomic spectrometry, with particular focus upon two techniques: laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and tungsten coil atomic absorption spectrometry (W Coil AAS). LIBS and W Coil AAS have been described in detail, with special attention to instrumentation, analytical performance, applications and examples of portable devices. The two techniques were compared and found to be complimentary. Competing technology, not necessarily based upon atomic spectrometry, was also briefly discussed in order to provide a glimpse of the overall picture of FAC techniques used for the determination of metals. These rival techniques include X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), immunoassay, capillary electrophoresis (CE), and electrochemical sensors.