It is an analytical technique that is used to

determine metals in an aqueous solution

Atoms of a metal are volatilized in a flame and

their absorption of a narrow band of radiation
produced by a hollow cathode lamp, coated
with a particular metal being determined, is
measured.
 Light source

Flame

Monochromator

Detector
 STRENGTH LIMITATIONS

• More sensitive • Only applicable to

than AES. A highly metallic elements.
specific method of • Each element
analysis useful in requires a
some aspects of different hollow
quality control. cathode lamp for
its determination.
1. • Clinical Analysis

2. • Environmental Analysis

3. • Pharmaceuticals

4. • Industry

5. • Mining
 • Clinical analysis. Analyzing metals in
1.
biological fluids such as blood and urine.

• Environmental analysis. Monitoring our

environment – eg finding out the levels of
2. various elements in rivers, seawater, drinking
water, air, petrol and drinks such as wine, beer
and fruit drinks.
 • Pharmaceuticals. In some
pharmaceutical manufacturing
processes, minute quantities of a
3. catalyst used in the process (usually a
metal) are sometimes present in the
final product. By using AAS the amount
of catalyst present can be determined.
 • Industry. Many raw materials are
examined and AAS is widely used to
check that the major elements are
present and that toxic impurities are
4. lower than specified – eg in concrete,
where calcium is a major constituent, the
lead level should be low because it is
toxic.
 •Mining. By using AAS the amount
of metals such as gold in rocks can
5. be determined to see whether it is
worth mining the rocks to extract
the gold.
 • Assay of Ca and Mg in
1. hemodialysis fluid

2. • Assay of Lead in sugars

3. • BP Assays
The Ca and Mg in hemodialysis solution were analyzed
using AAS as follows:
(i) Standard solution containing Ca at a concentration of
10.7mg/100mL of water and containing Mg at
11.4mg/100mL of water were diluted as follows:
(ii)DILUTION: 10mL of both solutions were transferred to
the same 100mL volumetric flask and diluted to 100ml
(diluted standard solution).
(iii)The calibration series was prepared by diluting the
diluted standard solution with water as indicated in the
following table:
 Volume Final volume Readings for Readings for
taken for Ca dilution Mg dilution
dilution series series

0 100 0.002 0.005

5 100 0.154 0.168
10 100 0.310 0.341
15 100 0.379 0.519
20 100 0.619 0.685
25 100 0.772 0.835