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