ATOMIC

ABSORPTION
SPECTROSCOPY
A G U IL A R , D A N IK A ENCH2-B
C ASIAN O , BEA
G R AD IOL A, KIM BER L YN N
J OC SON , C H ABEL ITA
PRINCIPLES
> The technique uses basically the principle that free atoms (gas)
generated in an atomizer can absorb radiation at specific frequency.
> Atomic absorption spectroscopy quantifies the absorption of ground
state atoms in the gaseous state.
> The atoms absorb ultraviolet or visible light and make transitions to high
electronic energy levels. The analyte concentration is determined from
the amount of absorption.
> Concentration measurements are usually determined from a working
curve after calibrating the instrument with standards of known
concentration.
ILLUSTRATIONS
APPLICATIONS
> Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy is one of the most widely used
techniques for the determination of metals at trace levels in solution
> Atomic Absorption can determine over 60 elements in almost any
matrix
> Atomic absorption spectrometry can be applied in different areas of
science
- Agriculture - Mining
- Chemical - Nuclear energy
- Environmental study - Petrochemical
- Food industry - Pharmaceutical
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
> is greater sensitivity and detection > A separate cathode discharge lamp is
limits than other methods required for each element to be
determined.
> easy to use
> cannot be used very successfully for
> High precision estimation of some element
> Inexpensive > AAS techniques that allow solid-
> can analyse directly some types of substance testing cannot be used on
liquid samples non-metals.

> has low spectral interference such > only solutions can be analysed
as stray radiation, overlapping of
lines, and poor resolution of lines