Soumitra Nath nath.soumitra1@gmail.

com

ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY

Introduction Atomic-absorption spectroscopy (AAS) uses the absorption of light to measure the concentration of gas-phase atoms. Since samples are usually liquids or solids, the analyte atoms or ions must be vaporized in a flame or graphite furnace. The atoms absorb ultraviolet or visible light and make transitions to higher electronic energy levels. The analyte concentration is determined from the amount of absorption. AAS can be used to determine over 70 different elements in solution or directly in solid samples. AAS can be used to determine over 70 different elements (e.g., Fe, Cu, Al, Pb, Ca, Zn, Cd etc) in solution or directly in solid samples. . It also measures the concentrations of metals in the samples.

Principle: The technique makes use of absorption spectrometry to assess the concentration of an analyte in a sample. It requires standards with known analyte content to establish the relation between the measured absorbance and the analyte concentration and relies therefore on BeerLambert Law.. Theory: In their elemental form, metals will absorb ultraviolet light when they are excited by heat. Each metal has a characteristic wavelength that will be absorbed. The AAS instrument looks for a particular metal by focusing a beam of uv light at a specific wavelength through a flame and into a detector. The sample of interest is aspirated into the flame. If that metal is present in the sample, it will absorb some of the light, thus reducing its intensity. The instrument measures the change in intensity. A computer data system converts the change in intensity into an absorbance reading.

Soumitra Nath nath.soumitra1@gmail.com

Instrument Design In atomic absorption, there are two methods of adding thermal energy to a sample. A Graphite Furnace AAS uses a graphite tube with a strong electric current to heat the sample. In Flame AAS, we aspirate a sample into a flame using a nebulizer. The light beam is generated by a lamp that is specific for a target metal. The lamp must be perfectly aligned so the beam crosses the hottest part of the flame and travels into the detector. The detector the measures the intensity of the beam of light. When some of the light is absorbed by a metal, the beam's intensity is reduced. The detector records that reduction as an absorption. That absorption is shown on a readout by the data system (computer).

There are three basic components for every AA spectrophotometer: 1. Light source - It is designed to emit the atomic spectrum of a particular element. Specific lamps are selected according to the element to be determined. The hollow cathode lamp (HCL) or electrodeless lamps (EDL) are widely used. 2. Flame apparatus - Where an atomic sample vapor is generated in the light beam from the source. This is usually done by introducing the sample into a burner system (Flame AAS) or electrically heated furnace or platform, aligned in the optical path of the spectrophotometer. 3. Detector: The Light then passes through a monochromator in order to separate the element-specific radiation from any other radiation emitted by the light source, which is finally measured by a detector. 4. Data processor (computer): this signal is further processed to generate an instrument readout in concentration units. Applications of Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy water analysis (e.g. Ca, Mg, Fe, Si, Al, Ba content) food analysis analysis of animal feedstuffs (e.g. Mn, Fe, Cu, Cr, Se, Zn) analysis of additives in lubricating oils and greases (Ba, Ca, Na, Li, Zn, Mg) analysis of soils Clinical analysis (blood samples: whole blood, plasma, serum; Ca, Mg, Li, Na, K, Fe)