Atomic emission spectrometry with a tungsten microtube atomizer has been investigated for alkali and other elements. The highest atomic emission signal was observed in pure argon atmosphere for most of elements studied. Addition of low flow rate of hydrogen to the argon purge gas served to increase emission signals of K, Rb, and Yb. Hydrogen was also available for reproducible emission profiles for all elements studied. Although an increase in the peak emission was shown with increasing heating rate, the reproducible background was traced only at an appropriate heating rate. No definite indication of ionization of the alkalies was recognized. Detection limits of alkali and other elements were 0.30, 0.35, 0.042, 0.42, 35, 5.3, 20, 3.6, 21, and 0.89 pg for Cs, K, Ll, Rb, Cr, Cu, Ga, In, Mn, and Yb, respectively. 14 references, 9 figures, 1 table.