Inductively coupled plasma atomic absorption spectroscopy

Figure 5.2 The EPA procedure for the acid digestion of sediments, sludges and soils using a hot-plate GFAAS, graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy FAAS, flame atomic absorption spectroscopy ICP-MS, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry ICP-AES, inductively coupled plasma-atomic absorption spectroscopy [1],...

When the problem has been defined and needed background information has been studied, it is time to consider which analytical methods will provide the data you need to solve the problem. In selecting techniques, you can refer back to the other chapters in this book. For example, if you want to measure the three heavy metals (Co, Fe, and Ni) that were suspect in the Bulging Drum Problem, you might immediately think of atomic absorption or inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopies and reread Chapter 8 of this book. How would you choose between them Which would be more accurate More precise Does your lab have both instruments Are they both in working order What if you have neither of them What sample preparation would be needed ... 

Chapters 7 and 8 describe two major techniques for the monitoring of trace elements in environmental samples atomic absorption (AA) and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP). AA is most ideally suited for analyses where a limited number of trace metal concentrations are needed with high accuracy and precision. ICP has the advantage of multielement analysis with high speed. 

Nickel is normally present at very low levels in biological samples. To determine trace nickel levels in these samples accurately, sensitive and selective methods are required. Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), with or without preconcentration or separation steps, are the most common methods. These methods have been adopted in standard procedures by EPA, NIOSH, lARC, and the International Union of Pure and Applied... 

AAS = atomic absorption spectrometry HCLO4 = perchloric acid HNO3 = nitric acid H2SO4 = sulfuric acid ICP-AES = inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy Ni = nickel NIOSH = National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health v = volume... 

The inductively coupled plasma13 shown at the beginning of the chapter is twice as hot as a combustion flame (Figure 21-11). The high temperature, stability, and relatively inert Ar environment in the plasma eliminate much of the interference encountered with flames. Simultaneous multielement analysis, described in Section 21 1. is routine for inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, which has replaced flame atomic absorption. The plasma instrument costs more to purchase and operate than a flame instrument. 

GFAAS = graphite furnace (flameless) atomic absorption spectroscopy TLC = thin layer chromatography HFP-AES = high frequency plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy NAA = neutron atomic analysis ICP-AES = inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy AAS = atomic absorption spectrometry GSE = graphite spectroscopic electrode UV = ultraviolet spectrophotometry PD = photodensitometer and (3,5-diBr-PADAP) = 2(-3,-5-dibromo-2-pyridylazo)-5- diethyl-ami nophenol. 

A variety of methods have been recommended for the analysis of coal ash, including (1) atomic absorption (ASTM D-3682 ASTM D-3683 ASTM D-4606 ASTM D-6414), (2) inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ASTM D-6349 ASTM D-6357), and (3) x-ray fluorescence (ASTM D-4326). 

Tin is readily measured in multielement analyses of air, water, and solid waste samples by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. For individual analyses of tin, direct aspiration atomic absorption spectroscopy is usually used. Organotin can be extracted from environmental samples and determined by atomic spectrometric methods or gas chromatography, usually after derivatization. 

AAS = atomic absorption spectroscopy HPLC = high performance liquid chromatography ICP/AES = inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy... 

AMS = accelerated mass spectroscopy EDTA = ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid GFAAS = graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry ICP-AES = inductively coupled plasma - atomic emission spectroscopy NAA = neutron activation analysis ETAAS = electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry SEC/ICP-MS = size-exclusion chromatography/ICP-AES/mass spectrometry HLPC/ICP-AES = high-performance liquid chromatography/ICP-AES LAMMA = laser ablation microprobe mass analysis NA = not applicable ppq = parts per quadrillion... 

Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometric detectors are used to monitor chromatographic separations. However, this type of detection offers very little specificity. Element specific detectors are much more useful and important. Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICPAES) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) are often used in current studies. The highest sensitivity is achieved by graphite furnace-AAS and ICP-MS. The former is used off-line while the latter is coupled to the chromatographic column and is used on-line . 

Many metal analyses are carried out using atomic spectroscopic methods such as flame or graphite furnace atomic absorption or inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). These methods commonly require the sample to be presented as a dilute aqueous solution, usually in acid. ICP-mass spectrometry requires similar preparation. Other samples may be analyzed in solid form. For x-ray fluorescence, the solid sample may require dilution with a solid buffer material to produce less variation between samples and standards, reducing matrix effects. A solid sample is also preferred for neutron activation analyses and may be obtained from dilute aqueous samples by precipitation methods. 

All raw and treated coals were analyzed at Ames Laboratory for trace, major, and minor elements using energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence (XRF), inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), and atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AA). General analytical procedures employed for each of these techniques are discussed separately below. 

Inorganic extractables/leachables would include metals and other trace elements such as silica, sodium, potassium, aluminum, calcium, and zinc associated with glass packaging systems. Analytical techniques for the trace analysis of these elements are well established and include inductively coupled plasma—atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), ICP-MS, graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAS), electron microprobe, and X-ray fluorescence. Applications of these techniques have been reviewed by Jenke. " An example of an extractables study for certain glass containers is presented by Borchert et al. ". ... 

The determination of trace metal impurities in pharmaceuticals requires a more sensitive methodology. Flame atomic absorption and emission spectroscopy have been the major tools used for this purpose. Metal contaminants such as Pb, Sb, Bi, Ag, Ba, Ni, and Sr have been identified and quantitated by these methods (59,66-68). Specific analysis is necessary for the detection of the presence of palladium in semisynthetic penicillins, where it is used as a catalyst (57), and for silicon in streptomycin (69). Furnace atomic absorption may find a significant role in the determination of known impurities, due to higher sensitivity (Table 2). Atomic absorption is used to detect quantities of known toxic substances in the blood, such as lead (70-72). If the exact impurities are not known, qualitative as well as quantitative analysis is required, and a general multielemental method such as ICP spectrometry with a rapid-scanning monochromator may be utilized. Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy may also be used in the analysis of biological fluids in order to detect contamination by environmental metals such as mercury (73), and to test serum and tissues for the presence of aluminum, lead, cadmium, nickel, and other trace metals (74-77). 

GPC (total radioactive strontium) = beta gas proportional counter Bq = Becquerel dpm = disintegrations per minute EDTA = ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid GFAAS (total strontium) = graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy ICP-AES (total strontium) = inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy ICP-MS (isotopic strontium composition) = inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry LSC (isotopic quanitification of 89Srand 90Sr) = liquid scintillation counting pCi = pico curies (10-12 curies) PIXE (total strontium) = proton induced x-ray emission TMAH = tetramethylammonium hydroxide TNA (total strontium) = thermal neutron activation and radiometric measurement TRXF (total strontium) = total-reflection x-ray fluorescence... 

The separation of yttrium from the lanthanides is performed by selective oxidation, reduction, fractionated crystallization, or precipitation, ion-exchange and liquid-liquid extraction. Methods for determination include arc spectrography, flame photometry and atomic absorption spectrometry with the nitrous oxide acetylene flame. The latter method improved the detection limits of yttrium in the air, rocks and other components of the natural environment (Deuber and Heim 1991 Welz and Sperling 1999).Other analytical methods useful for sensitive monitoring of trace amounts of yttrium are X-ray emission spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and neutron activation analysis (NAA) the latter method utilizes the large thermal neutron cross-section of yttrium. For high-sensitivity analysis of yttrium, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) is especially recommended for solid samples, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) for liquid samples (Reiman and Caritat 1998). 

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