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Atomic Absorption Spectrometry: History
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Contributor: Helena Kang

Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) is an elemental quantification method in which free ground-state atoms in the gas phase absorb radiation at a wavelength characteristic of a given element, and the measured absorbance is related to that element’s concentration [1][2]. In analytical chemistry methods development the concept is bounded by absorption by free atoms—not by ions, molecules, or excited-state emission—as the analytical signal. Essential components are a source of element-specific radiation (commonly a hollow-cathode lamp), an atomizer that converts the sample into free atoms, and a detector that records the attenuation of the resonance line. Flame atomization introduces the sample into a combustion flame, whereas electrothermal (graphite-furnace) atomization uses a resistively heated tube, often with a L’vov platform and a matrix modifier, to produce a transient atomic vapor [2][3]. Preconcentration steps such as dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction or solid-phase extraction can be coupled to either atomizer so that the atoms presented to the beam represent a concentrated aliquot of the original sample [1][2][4]. The technique is distinguished from atomic emission spectrometry by the absorption rather than emission measurement, and from mass spectrometry by the optical rather than mass-to-charge signal. Conceptual limits exclude molecular absorption spectroscopies that do not atomize the analyte.

  • atomic absorption spectrometry
  • atomization
  • graphite furnace
  • elemental analysis

Analytical chemistry methods development • Analytical Chemistry • Chemistry • Physical Sciences

References

  1. Mehrorang Ghaedi; Farshid Ahmadi; Ardeshir Shokrollahi; Simultaneous preconcentration and determination of copper, nickel, cobalt and lead ions content by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. J. Hazard. Mater. 2007, 142, 272-278, 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2006.08.012.
  2. Elham Zeini Jahromi; Araz Bidari; Yaghoub Assadi; Mohammad Reza Milani Hosseini; Mohammad Reza Jamali; Dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction combined with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Anal. Chim. Acta 2007, 585, 305-311, 10.1016/j.aca.2007.01.007.
  3. Dayton T. Miller; Daniel C. Paschal; Elaine W. Gunter; Phillip E. Stroud; Joseph D'ANgelo; Determination of lead in blood using electrothermal atomisation atomic absorption spectrometry with a l'vov platform and matrix modifier. Anal. 1987, 112, 1701-1704, 10.1039/an9871201701.
  4. Mustafa Tüzen; Determination of heavy metals in fish samples of the middle Black Sea (Turkey) by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Food Chem. 2003, 80, 119-123, 10.1016/s0308-8146(02)00264-9.
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