FAASICPMS Section 2.3.1

2.3 Specialized Sample Introduction Techniques and Analysis

2.3.1 Aqueous Sample Introduction

Most of the FAAS and FAES systems use aqueous sample introduction through the nebulizer and into the burner head. This works well for samples that are already in the aqueous phase or can be digested in acid such as soil, atmospheric particles, and tissue samples. All aqueous samples for FAAS and FAES contain some amount of strong acid, usually in the 1 to 5 percent. This acid acts to keep the metal analytes in the dissolved phase and to avoid adsorption of metal ions to sample container and instrument surfaces. FAAS and FAES operated under these conditions suffer from relatively poor detection limits that in some cases can be improved upon with specialized sample introduction techniques. These techniques, described below, are physical attachments to the basic AAS unit that may or may not replace the burner head and in some cases allow solid samples and high particulate containing samples to be analyzed. A few of the techniques allow the analysis of elements not commonly measured by FAAS or FAES.

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Section 2.3.2