What is AAS/Atomic Absorption

Spectroscopy?

Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy Applications

Mining and GeDouble Beam AAS Schematic Diagram

Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy is an instrumental analysis technique for rapid

trace metal analysis.It is based on element specific wavelength light absorption
by ground state atoms in the flame or electrothermal graphite furnace.

It finds immense applications in the analysis for trace metals in soils, lakes,
rivers, oceans, and drinking water, pharmaceuticals, foods and beverages,
geological and mineralogical samples, petroleum products, biological fluids and
specimens and forensic analysis. It is common to get results in ppm levels and a
higher sensitivity of ppb levels when we using graphite furnace atomisation.

Uses of Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy

Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy provides cost-effective viable solutions

for the analysis of trace amounts of metals in the entire range of natural and
manmade materials such as Geological samples, Environmental samples,
Biological Specimens, Agricultural produce and soils, Pharmaceuticals, Foods
and Drinking water.

The technique affords advantages of speed, sensitivity and precision over the
classical gravimetric methods. Introduction of accessories such as graphite
furnace, flow injection analysis and improvements in the suppression of matrix
interferences have further contributed to improvement in sensitivity and
selectivity of analytes in complex matrices.
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy applications in the field of environment,
drinking water, mining and mineralogy, oceanographic studies, soils,
pharmaceuticals, foods, toys, forensic investigations are of great significance.

The list is endless and presence or absence of trace metals is a factor that cannot
be overlooked for evaluation of characteristics of materials or concerns
regarding human health and safety.

The chemical techniques used for the analysis of trace metals have evolved
from simple gravimetric methods to highly sophisticated time saving
instrumental techniques. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy is a popular
technique which involves moderate investment and affordable operational cost.

These features coupled with a high degree of accuracy and precision of results
has contributed to the widespread presence of atomic absorption spectrometers
in college laboratories, industrial laboratories and regulatory body laboratories
across the world.

Principle of Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy

Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) is based upon the principle that free
atoms in the ground state can absorb light of a certain wavelength. These very
specific wavelengths give the technique excellent specificity and detection
limits in the AAS analysis. Absorption for each element is specific, no other
elements absorb this wavelength. Typical applications of AAS include – 

 Quantitative metal concentrations in solution

 Analysis of lead in paint
 Monitoring of trace metals in industrial effluent streams
 Trace elements in product/raw materials along with ICP-MS
 Analysis of additives and purity in steels and other metal alloys
 Analysis of low-level contaminants

Several analytical techniques have been applied for detection and quantitative
estimation of trace metals in different types of matrices. Classical techniques
based on gravimetric and titrimetry provided good accuracy but were time-
consuming.

Increasing demand for high speed analysis led to the introduction of

instrumental methods such as Ion selective electrodes, UV-VIS spectroscopic
techniques, Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, ICP – OES and ICP – MS. The
choice of technique depends on the required detection levels, available sample
quantity and most important available budget. The topic is covered to some
extent in the article which elemental analysis technique is right for me.
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy is a moderately priced instrumental analysis
technique which provides a high degree of accuracy and precision of results.
Due to its high analysis throughput, it finds its rightful place in university
laboratories, pollution control laboratories and industrial quality control
laboratories.

The present article highlights some areas where an awareness of working with
an Atomic Absorption Spectrometer will prove to be an asset in enhancing your
professional growth.

In case you are engaged in any of the activities or areas discussed in the article
or wish to land into such areas, you will stand to gain through up-gradation of
your knowledge

aology – The elemental composition of minerals and rocks provide valuable

information on the commercial feasibility of conducting mining activities in
areas explored. After mining, the ores and minerals need to be tested for
composition for the efficiency of refining operations. Similarly, trace metal
analysis is of great value in prospecting for oil and water deposits.

Gemstones are also graded on the basis of the presence of certain trace metals.
Elemental composition of archaeological artefacts is helpful for tracing their
source.

Environmental Monitoring – Environmental monitoring for trace metal

contamination of industrial effluents, oceans, rivers and lakes is important for
establishing the safety of water for drinking and commercial use. It is important
to establish if such samples are within the safety limits set by regulatory bodies.
Environmental monitoring also plays a significant role in the evaluation and
feasibility of the site for setting up commercial projects.

Materials Development – Common properties of materials such as hardness,

brittleness, grain size, crystallinity and amorphous nature are significantly
influenced by composition and trace metals. Trace metal analysis can provide
useful information on the performance properties of such materials.

Pharmaceuticals – Trace metal analysis plays an important role in formulation

development, catalyst efficiency and dosage limits. Most elements have a
beneficial role up to certain prescribed limits but beyond such limits the effects
are harmful.

Foods and Beverages – In synthetic processed foods, metal pickup takes place
due to contact with processing equipment and catalytic conversions. Consumer
awareness on food safety is increasing by the day so manufacturers have to
ensure that the trace metals do not exceed the permissible limits and this
requires rigorous quality control through atomic absorption spectroscopy and
other sophisticated instruments.

Oil and Petroleum – Both edible oils and mineral oils require refining before
consumption. Such refining operation can involve distillation as well as
catalytic refining. Uptake of metals during such operations can lead to
deterioration of performance or consumer hazards. Trace metal analysis of
engine oil provides useful diagnostic information on the wear and tear of engine
parts.

Agriculture – Trace metal constitution of soils in addition to their acidic or

basic nature is essential to establish their productivity and nutrient value. Trace
metal composition of plants (leaves, stems and roots) gives a fair idea on how
the uptake of minerals gets distributed under different growth conditions

Forensics – Trace metal analysis provides valuable information on specimens

such as stomach contents for food poisoning, paint chips, fibres and hair strands
collected from the scene of a crime.

Types of Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy

Nowadays, Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) systems are comparatively

inexpensive instruments. Some also predict multi(few)-element capability.
There are various types of AAS – Flame (F AAS), Cold vapour (CV AAS),
Hydride-generating (HG AAS), and Graphite furnace (GF-AAS) systems. 

Instrumentation of AAS

Atomizer 

The sample must be atomized first in order to be studied. Atomization is an

important step in AAS as aids in determining the sensitivity of the reading. An
effective atomizer creates a large number of homogenous free atoms. Though
there are many types of atomizers present, only two are commonly used: Flame
and Electrothermal atomizers.

Radiation Source

There is a radiation source which irradiates the atomized sample. The sample
absorbs some of the radiation, and the rest passes through the spectrometer to a
detector. Radiation sources are of two categories: Line sources and Continuum
sources. Line sources excite the analyte and thus emit its own line spectrum.
Continuum sources have radiation that spreads out over a wider range of
wavelengths.

Spectrometer

Spectrometers are used to differentiate between various types of wavelengths of

light before they pass to the detector. The spectrometer in AAS can be either
single-beam or double-beam.

Single-beam spectrometers require radiation to pass directly through the

atomized sample. Whereas, double-beam spectrometers require two beams of
light – one beam that passes directly through the sample, and another that does
not pass through the sample at all.

Learning Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy 

Understanding the basics and operation of Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy is a

career objective of every trace metal analyst. Today’s trace metal analyst cannot
afford to remain ignorant of this well-established technique.

Awareness and need for testing of materials existed even in ancient times and
has grown to keep its pace with the growth of human civilization. Today you
cannot imagine any man-made product be it a machine tool, glass decorative
item, food product, pharmaceutical, plastic ware or for that matter any other
product which has not undergone quality control using analytical techniques at
some stage of its manufacture.

Even our natural resources such as water, air, food grains, fruits and vegetables
are certified for human consumption after undergoing laboratory testing.

Analysis of trace metals gained significance on the onset of the age of metals.
Even in those times, it was common knowledge that composition of alloys has a
bearing on properties of metals to be used for the development of weapons for
warfare, hunting, implements, storage of foods and drinking water.

Efficacy of herbal medicines based on ancient systems such as Ayurveda, Unani

and Siddha is dependent on the presence of trace metals or their oxides incorrect
amounts. An excess of such components could be disastrous to the consumer.

Knowledge of AAS, its potential applications and operational aspects is an asset

for any analytical scientist. The Certificate course on Atomic Absorption
Spectroscopy is designed keeping the requirements of the working chemist in
mind.
The AAS programme at Lab Training is designed to provide an insight into the
basics, operations and maintenance exposure to ensure a trouble-free operation
of the system.

The learners get the additional benefits of

understanding the workplace environment through interaction with our technical
experts. The course also lays stress on basic laboratory procedures which often
get overlooked in the university curriculum.

The programme is beneficial to fresh graduates who are looking forward to a

career in industrial quality control and research labs and also to the
working professional who gets an opportunity to upgrade their skills and
awareness of the advances in the technique.

The programme is interactive in nature with quiz sessions between different

modules. On completion of the programme, a certificate of participation is
awarded and placement assistance and guidance are provided to desirous
participants.

Equipment used to perform Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy

There are various essential pieces of equipment necessary to performing

atomic absorption spectroscopy:

 Atomiser
 Light source
 Spectrometer
 Detector

The spectrometer is, in effect, a system that incorporates all these elements.

It will, typically, include:

 Furnace and flame

 Spray chamber
 Mirrors
 Cathode lamp, and lamp carousel
 Deuterium (D2) lamp
 Beam selector
 Photon detector

There are also various accessories to supplement the core AAS equipment, such
as auto-dilutor systems for sample preparation and continuous flow vapour
generation systems.
Because atoms to be analysed must be in a gas phase, the application of heat is
essential to the process.

The Furnace used in AAS is made from graphite. It is in the form of a graphite

tube. This generates the thermal energy to break the sample’s chemical bonds,
producing free atoms for analysis.

There are three steps to this process:

 Drying, which removes solvent from the sample

 Ashing, which removes any organic and inorganic material
 Atomisation, which generates the free atoms.

The optical path of an AAS spectrometers consists of a light source which emits
at the wavelengths suitable for the element analysed. This light will be absorbed
by the samples in equal proportion to the concentration of the analyte. The
remaining light is received by a detector. The more light intensity has been
absorbed, the higher the concentration of the analyte in the sample
The flame, usually a slot-type burner, is used for analysing fluids. It vapourises
them to create a gas.

The spray chamber introduces the sample, aspirated then applied as drops, into

the flame.

The mirrors direct the light beams from the cathode and D2 lamps, and

the beam selector splits the beam into component wavelengths.

The photon detector counts light in photons. Photons are elementary particles,

the tiniest possible particle of light in an electromagnetic field.

Along with the equipment for performing AAS, the system requires the right
kind of supporting software.

This software enables precise instrument control, and acquiring, manipulating

and interpreting the data that the process generates.