Atomic absorption spectrometry and its application in geochemistry

Includes bibliographical references.The atomic absorption method of analysis is reviewed. The theory describing the various phenomena such as atomic population, spectral line shapes, factors influencing absorption, analytical graph curvature, etc.are deduced. The practical aspects of atomic absorption are discussed with respect to: Instrumentation: flame studies and an attempt to develop "a universal" flame; contamination; sources of errors, etc. The method is applied to the analysis of silicate materials. Problems of sample dissolution and standards preparation are discussed. Applications have been made on the determination of the alkali metals (including lithium isotope determination), magnesium and calcium, copper, zinc, iron, manganese, molybdenum and aluminium. Although certain geochemical aspects of these elements are discussed, the analytical problems are stressed. The interference effects by other elements were tested and techniques developed to enable interferences to be overcome. It is concluded that atomic absorption spectrometry has significant uses for the geochemist, especially for the estimation of elements of the trace and minor concentration levels