Written Report
Thermodynamics and Kinetics Laboratory
2nd Semester AY 2022-2023
ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY
Dizon, Gil Garrick Rafael
Pun-an, Mayrell
Quezon, Kathrene
Jennlyn Tagamolila
Course Instructor
November 14, 2022
Introduction
Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) identifies elements in liquid or solid samples by using
certain wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation from a light source. Individual elements absorb
wavelengths differently, and the absorbances of these elements are evaluated against standards. AAS, in
fact, takes use of the various radiation wavelengths absorbed by different atoms. Atomic absorption is so
sensitive that it can quantify a sample down to parts per billion of a gram (g dm-3 ). The method takes
use of light wavelengths that are particularly absorbed by an element. They represent the energies
required to move electrons from one energy level to a higher energy level. Atomic absorption
spectrometry has several applications in chemistry. It is widely used in the examination of trace metals
in soils, lakes, rivers, seas, and drinking water, as well as in medicines, foods and beverages, geological
and mineralogical samples, petroleum products, biological fluids and specimens, and forensic
investigation. When utilizing graphite furnace atomisation, it is typical to obtain findings at ppm levels
and a higher sensitivity of ppb levels.
Illustration
Process
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy is done by measuring the dimming of a pulse of light from a
cathode lamp to a measuring device after it is passed through a sample.
Firstly, the hollow cathode lamp must contain the same metal species as the sample being
measured, this is to ensure the correct EMR frequencies are emitted. Next, the samples are atomized via
a burner or a flame, this allows the individual atoms to impact the brightness or intensity of the EMR.
Once the EMR has passed the sample, it will have dimmed or lowered in intensity. The EMR enters the
monochromator which separates the specific wavelength being measured from the rest of the unneeded
wavelengths such that by the time the EMR arrives at the detector, it is clean from other wavelengths
and only contains what is needed to be measured. Comparing the initial brightness of the pulse to its
measured brightness at the detector will yield the absorbance. The amount of EMR before the flame is
always higher than the amount after.
In the following equation above, I0 and I are the before and after intensities of the EMR. Epsilon
is the extinction coefficient, c is the concentration of the sample in mol*L -1, and l is the path length
(usually 1cm).
Benefits & Limitations
The main advantages of ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY are that it is relatively
inexpensive and easy to use, while still offering high throughput, quantitative analysis of the metal
content of solids or liquids. This makes it suitable for use in a wide range of applications
Advantages Limitations
Low cost per analysis Cannot detect non-metals
Easy to operate New equipment is quite expensive
High sensitivity (up to ppb More geared towards analysis of
detection) liquids
High accuracy Sample is destroyed
Mostly free from interelement
interference
Wide applications across many
industries
Applications
ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY is commonly used for trace metal analysis of a
wide range of sample types in the environmental sciences, food and beverage, chemical and
pharmaceutical sectors for impurity or contamination monitoring and quality control, as well as the rapid
assessment of raw materials. It is also used in a clinical setting for the analysis of biological fluids, such
as blood and urine.
References
https://www.technologynetworks.com/analysis/articles/atomic-absorption-spectroscopy-principles-and-
applications-356829
http://www.liskeard.cornwall.sch.uk/images/Liskeard-Sixth-Form/Atomic-Absorption-Spectrometry.pdf
https://www.agilent.com/en/support/atomic-spectroscopy/atomic-absorption/flame-atomic-absorption-
instruments/how-does-aas-work-aas-faqs
