Atomic absorption spectrometry detection limits

Ricci and coworkers have described a highly sensitive, automated technique for the determination of MMAA, DMAA, p-aminophenyl arsonate, arsenite and arsenate. This procedure is based on ion-chromatography on a Dionex column, with 0.0024 M NaHC03/0.0019 M NajCOj/O.OOl M Na2B407 eluent, when all the compounds except arsenite and dimethyl arsinite are separated effectively. For separation of the last two, a lower ionic strength eluent (0.005 M Na2B407) can be used in a separate analysis. The detection system utilizes a continuous arsine generation system followed by heated quartz furnace atomization and atomic absorption spectrometry. Detection limits of less than 10 ng/ml were obtained for each species. 

Arsenic species were preconcentrated on Zipax, a pellicular anion exchange material and separated on a column packed with high performance liquid chromatography grade strong anion exchange resin, then continuously reduced with sodium tetrahydroborate and detected by atomic absorption spectrometry. Detection limits were 2ng for arsenite, arsenate and monomethylarsinate and Ing for dimethylarsonate. 

The section on Spectroscopy has been retained but with some revisions and expansion. The section includes ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, fluorescence, infrared and Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray spectrometry. Detection limits are listed for the elements when using flame emission, flame atomic absorption, electrothermal atomic absorption, argon induction coupled plasma, and flame atomic fluorescence. Nuclear magnetic resonance embraces tables for the nuclear properties of the elements, proton chemical shifts and coupling constants, and similar material for carbon-13, boron-11, nitrogen-15, fluorine-19, silicon-19, and phosphoms-31. 

Highly sensitive iastmmental techniques, such as x-ray fluorescence, atomic absorption spectrometry, and iaductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, have wide appHcation for the analysis of silver ia a multitude of materials. In order to minimize the effects of various matrices ia which silver may exist, samples are treated with perchloric or nitric acid. Direct-aspiration atomic absorption (25) and iaductively coupled plasma (26) have silver detection limits of 10 and 7 l-lg/L, respectively. The use of a graphic furnace ia an atomic absorption spectrograph lowers the silver detection limit to 0.2 l-ig/L. 

The complex of the following destmctive and nondestmctive analytical methods was used for studying the composition of sponges inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometry (ICP-MS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Techniques of sample preparation were developed for each method and their metrological characteristics were defined. Relative standard deviations for all the elements did not exceed 0.25 within detection limit. The accuracy of techniques elaborated was checked with the method of additions and control methods of analysis. 

Electrothermal vaporization can be used for 5-100 )iL sample solution volumes or for small amounts of some solids. A graphite furnace similar to those used for graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrometry can be used to vaporize the sample. Other devices including boats, ribbons, rods, and filaments, also can be used. The chosen device is heated in a series of steps to temperatures as high as 3000 K to produce a dry vapor and an aerosol, which are transported into the center of the plasma. A transient signal is produced due to matrix and element-dependent volatilization, so the detection system must be capable of time resolution better than 0.25 s. Concentration detection limits are typically 1-2 orders of magnitude better than those obtained via nebulization. Mass detection limits are typically in the range of tens of pg to ng, with a precision of 10% to 15%. 

In modern times, most analyses are performed on an analytical instrument for, e.g., gas chromatography (GC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), ultra-violet/visible (UV) or infrared (IR) spectrophotometry, atomic absorption spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), mass spectrometry. Each of these instruments has a limitation on the amount of an analyte that they can detect. This limitation can be expressed as the IDL, which may be defined as the smallest amount of an analyte that can be reliably detected or differentiated from the background on an instrument. 

On the whole, the applications of plasma-source emission detection to GC in the field of polymer/additive analysis are limited. The same holds for GC-atomic absorption spectrometry [370]. 

Sturgeon et al. [59] have described a hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry method for the determination of antimony in seawater. The method uses formation of stibene using sodium borohydride. Stibine gas was trapped on the surface of a pyrolytic graphite coated tube at 250 °C and antimony determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. An absolute detection limit of 0.2 ng was obtained and a concentration detection limit of 0.04 pg/1 obtained for 5 ml sample volumes. 

Bishop [75] determined barium in seawater by direct injection Zeeman-modulated graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The V203/Si modifier added to undiluted seawater samples promotes injection, sample drying, graphite tube life, and the elimination of most seawater components in a slow char at 1150-1200 °C. Atomisation is at 2600 °C. Detection is at 553.6 nm and calibration is by peak area. Sensitivity is 0.8 absorbance s/ng (Mo = 5.6 pg 0.0044 absorbance s) at an internal argon flow of 60 ml/min. The detection limit is 2.5 pg barium in a 25 ml sample or 0.5 pg using a 135 ml sample. Precision is 1.2% and accuracy is 23% for natural seawater (5.6-28 xg/l). The method works well in organic-rich seawater matrices and sediment porewaters. 

Soo [96] determined picogram amounts of bismuth in seawater by flameless atomic absorption spectrometry with hydride generation. The bismuth is reduced in solution by sodium borohydride to bismuthine, stripped with helium gas, and collected in situ in a modified carbon rod atomiser. The collected bismuth is subsequently atomised by increasing the atomiser temperature and detected by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The absolute detection limit is 3pg of bismuth. The precision of the method is 2.2% for 150 pg and 6.7% for 25 pg of bismuth. Concentrations of bismuth found in the Pacific Ocean ranged from < 0.003-0.085 (dissolved) and 0.13-0.2 ng/1 (total). 

In the determination of cadmium in seawater, for both operational reasons and ease of interpretation of the results it is necessary to separate particulate material from the sample immediately after collection. The dissolved trace metal remaining will usually exist in a variety of states of complexation and possibly also of oxidation. These may respond differently in the method, except where direct analysis is possible with a technique using high-energy excitation, such that there is no discrimination between different states of the metal. The only technique of this type with sufficiently low detection limits is carbon furnace atomic absorption spectrometry, which is subject to interference effects from the large and varying content of dissolved salts. 

A Cis column loaded with sodium diethyldithiocarbamate has been used to extract copper and cadmium from seawater. Detection limits for analysis by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry were 0.024 pg/1 and 0.004 xg/l, respectively [283]. 

In contrast, the coupling of electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques, e.g., electrodeposition of a metal followed by detection by atomic absorption spectrometry, has received limited attention. Wire filaments, graphite rods, pyrolytic graphite tubes, and hanging drop mercury electrodes have been tested [383-394] for electrochemical preconcentration of the analyte to be determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. However, these ex situ preconcentration methods are often characterised by unavoidable irreproducibility, contaminations arising from handling of the support, and detection limits unsuitable for lead detection at sub-ppb levels. 

Neve et al. [547] digested the sample with nitric acid. After digestion the sample is reacted selectively with an aromatic o-diamine, and the reaction product is detected by flameless atomic absorption spectrometry after the addition of nickel (III) ions. The detection limit is 20mg/l, and both selenium (IV) and total selenium can be determined. There was no significant interference in a saline environment with three times the salinity of seawater. 

Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry has also been used to determine zinc [610,611] in seawater with a detection limit of 2 ig [611]. Guevre-mont [610] has discussed the use of organic matrix modifiers for the direct determination of zinc. 

A method described by Hirata and Honda [618] uses a flow injection analysis manifold for pH adjustment of a seawater sample, followed by concentration of zinc on a column packed with Chelex 100 resin. The zinc was eluted with nitric acid and determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The detection limit is 0.5 p,g/l and the relative standard deviation is 2.7% at the 10 ig/l level. 

Fang et al. [661] have described a flow injection system with online ion exchange preconcentration on dual columns for the determination of trace amounts of heavy metal at pg/1 and sub-pg/1 levels by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (Fig. 5.17). The degree of preconcentration ranges from a factor of 50 to 105 for different elements, at a sampling frequency of 60 samples per hour. The detection limits for copper, zinc, lead, and cadmium are 0.07, 0.03, 0.5, and 0.05 pg/1, respectively. Relative standard deviations are 1.2-3.2% at pg/1 levels. The behaviour of the various chelating exchangers used was studied with respect to their preconcentration characteristics, with special emphasis on interferences encountered in the analysis of seawater. 

Tony et al. [951] have discussed an online preconcentration flame atomic absorption spectrometry method for determining iron, cobalt, nickel, magnesium, and zinc in seawater. A sampling rate of 30 samples per hour was achieved and detection limits were 4.0,1.0,1.0,0.5, and 0.5 xg/l, for iron, cobalt, nickel, magnesium, and zinc, respectively. 

Chang et al. [952] used a miniature column packed with a chelating resin and an automatic online preconcentration system for electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry to determine cadmium, cobalt, and nickel in seawater. Detection limits of 0.12,7 and 35 ng/1 were achieved for cadmium, cobalt, and nickel, respectively, with very small sample volume required (400-1800 xl). 

Cadmium, copper, and silver have been determined by an ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate chelation, followed by a methyl isobutyl ketone extraction of the metal chelate from the aqueous phase [677], and finally followed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The detection limits of this technique for 1% absorption were 0.03 pmol/1 (copper), 2 nmol/1 (cadmium), and 2 nmol/1 (silver). 

Gagnon [203] has described a rapid and sensitive AAS method developed from the work of Crisp et al. [200] for the determination of anionic detergents at the ppb level in natural waters. The method is based on determination by atomic absorption spectrometry using the bis(ethylene-diamine) copper (II) ion. The method is suitable for detergent concentrations up to 50 ig/l but it can be extended up to 15 mg/1. The limit of detection is 0.31 ig/1. 

Arc/spark emission methods have been widely used for the determination of metals and some non-metals particularly as minor and trace constituents. In recent years, however, the technique has been extensively displaced by atomic absorption spectrometry, and plasma emission methods. Detection limits for many elements are of the order of 1-10 ppm (Table 8.3) and as... 

Flame emission spectrometry is used extensively for the determination of trace metals in solution and in particular the alkali and alkaline earth metals. The most notable applications are the determinations of Na, K, Ca and Mg in body fluids and other biological samples for clinical diagnosis. Simple filter instruments generally provide adequate resolution for this type of analysis. The same elements, together with B, Fe, Cu and Mn, are important constituents of soils and fertilizers and the technique is therefore also useful for the analysis of agricultural materials. Although many other trace metals can be determined in a variety of matrices, there has been a preference for the use of atomic absorption spectrometry because variations in flame temperature are much less critical and spectral interference is negligible. Detection limits for flame emission techniques are comparable to those for atomic absorption, i.e. from < 0.01 to 10 ppm (Table 8.6). Flame emission spectrometry complements atomic absorption spectrometry because it operates most effectively for elements which are easily ionized, whilst atomic absorption methods demand a minimum of ionization (Table 8.7). 

Atomic absorption spectrometry is one of the most widely used techniques for the determination of metals at trace levels in solution. Its popularity as compared with that of flame emission is due to its relative freedom from interferences by inter-element effects and its relative insensitivity to variations in flame temperature. Only for the routine determination of alkali and alkaline earth metals, is flame photometry usually preferred. Over sixty elements can be determined in almost any matrix by atomic absorption. Examples include heavy metals in body fluids, polluted waters, foodstuffs, soft drinks and beer, the analysis of metallurgical and geochemical samples and the determination of many metals in soils, crude oils, petroleum products and plastics. Detection limits generally lie in the range 100-0.1 ppb (Table 8.4) but these can be improved by chemical pre-concentration procedures involving solvent extraction or ion exchange. 

Various workers have discussed the application of atomic absorption spectrometry to the determination of selenium in rocks [159,160] achieving detection limits of 0.06g g-1 [159] and 1.4xl0 10g g-1 [160] respectively. Hydride generation and measurement of hydride fluorescence has been used to determine selenium [120, 161] with a sensitivity of 0.06ug Se mL 1 which is 5-30 times than is achieved by conventional atomic absorption spectrometry. 

The application of a combination of gas chromatography and atomic absorption spectrometry to the determination of tetraalkyllead compounds has been studied by Chau et al. [f 7] and by Segar [20], In these methods the gas chromatography flame combination showed a detection limit of about O.lpg Pb. Chau et al. [f 7, 18] have applied the silica furnace in the atomic absorption unit and have shown that the sensitivity limit for the detection of lead can be enhanced by three orders of magnitude. They applied the method to the determination of tetramethyllead in sediment systems. 

Butylation of methyl tin species before solvent extraction and the use of atomic absorption spectrometry shortens the extraction procedure and reduces detection limits to about O.lng [102],... 

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