**10. Conclusion**

*Modern Spectroscopic Techniques and Applications*

Chemical Physical

Spectral

Matrix

Matrix

Molecular absorption

GFAA Physical and chemical

Flame AA lonization

ICP emission Spectral

*Atomic spectroscopy interferences.*

ICP-MS Mass overlap

**8. Atomic spectroscopy: other performance criteria**

**Technique Type of interference Method of compensation**

Performance criteria for analytical techniques include the ease of use, required operator skills, and availability of documented methodology. **Table 4** summarizes comparative advantages and limitations of the most common atomic spectroscopy

lonization buffer

STPF conditions

analytical lines Internal standardization

Zeeman background correction

values, or higher mass resolution Internal standardization

Releasing agent or nitrous oxide-acetylene flame Dilution, matrix matching, or method of additions

Background correction or the use of alternate

Inter element correction, use of alternate mass

Zeeman or continuum source background correction

**Criteria Flame AA Flame AE AFS ICP X-RF** Costs Low (~\$10–15 K) Moderate Moderate Highest (~\$200 K) Highest Instrumental ion Low Low High High High Maintenance Low Low Low High High Sample preparation Moderate Low Moderate High Speed Slow Medium Fast Fast Operator skill Lower Moderate Higher Higher Higher

**9. Atomic spectroscopy: recent developments and applications**

elements in samples of industrial and environmental origin.

*Comparison of spectroscopic techniques performance.*

Analytical methods of atomic spectroscopy have been used for elemental analysis identification, and quantitation in varieties of samples. Recently, most all of the spectroscopic techniques available are used in the analysis of metals and trace

Progress continues to develop in analytical spectroscopy as improvements are made to sensitivity, limits of detection, and availability. Recent development depends on instrumental adjustments and slight modifications to allow new types of measurements. Advancements in materials science have revealed demand for new methods of measurement using instruments already accessible, pushing the boundaries of what was previously available. For example, some new and interesting miniaturized plasma sources and a new distance of flight (DOF) mass spectrometer have been to the fore in developments. In addition, several novel methods have been developed, such as laser ablation molecular isotopic

**8**

techniques.

**Table 3.**

**Table 4.**

This chapter summarizes the key principles and application areas of atomic spectroscopy techniques. For example, a medical laboratory could determine the type and amount of heavy metals that could be present in patient's serum or urine. Environmental scientists could monitor heavy metal contamination of water and soil. The pharmaceutical industry uses these techniques to determine metals and metalloids in drug products [17, 18].

Important criteria for selecting an analytical technique include detection limits, analytical working range, sample preparation, cost, ease of use, and the availability of proven methodology. Atomic spectroscopy techniques have provided a rapid, simple, accurate, and highly sensitive means of determining the concentrations of the elements.

In the future, it seems more likely that *maximum permissible* limits for elements in drinking water, the drug product etc. will be reduced, rather than increased, therefore more sensitive techniques, such as ICP-MS, will begin to play a greater role in the analysis of elements.
