Atomic Absorption

Spectrometry (AAS)
Trace element Analysis

I-Definition of AAS

Optical Analysis Method based on the

study of atomic spectrum, which are ray
spectra!

Ray spectra = result of electronic

transitions in atoms (by valence
electrons)

II-Principle of AAS
Energy +
ground state
atom

excited state
atom

Light radiation (through photons) brings out an atom

from a ground state to a higher energy state
E = h.v and v = c/
3

II-Principle of AAS
E = h.v and v = c/
E = energy (Joules)
h = Planck constant
v = frequency (seconds)
= wavelength (nanometers)
c = light celerity (or speed) (meters/seconds)

II-Principle of AAS

v frequency is characteristic of the element to

analyse and corresponds to its wavelength (as an
example = 213,9 nm for Zn)

photon emissions is performed by a cathodic

discharge, made in rare gas atmosphere and
under very low pressure level

III-Apparatus
Anod

Gas : argon or neon

quartz window

Cathod

cathod lamp
6

III-Apparatus

Emission intensity has to be as high as possible:

the rate of flow of the photons has to be sufficiently
important in order the probability to meet an atom to be
high

Emission intensity has to be constant over time

since quantitative measures are based on the BeerLambert law, and thus necessitate a stable source

III-Apparatus

source

Abs = log I0/I

flame

detector

I0 = light intensity before the flame

I = light intensity after the flame
8

III-Apparatus
Abs = log I0/I

I0 = light intensity before the flame

I = light intensity after the flame

Beer-Lambert law A = elC

e = absorption coefficient, specific of the element
l = optical course length (in cm)
C = concentration (mole/L)

IV-Measure

Absorbance proportional to the concentration

Limit of
linearity

10

IV-Measure
Calibra-on*curve*
10000"

y"="$1294,8x2"+"6998,7x"+"40,477"
R"="0,99984"

9000"
8000"

Absorbance*

7000"

Limit of
linearity

6000"
5000"
4000"
3000"
2000"
1000"
0"
0"

0,5"

1"

1,5"

Concentra-ons*in*mg/l*

Example
of Zinc
11

2"

2,5"

IV Measure
Calibra-on*curve*without*the*last*point*
7000"

y"="5645,5x"+"206,6"
R"="0,99357"

6000"

Absorbance*

5000"

4000"

3000"

2000"

1000"

0"
0"

0,2"

0,4"

0,6"
Concentra-ons*in*mg/L*

12

0,8"

1"

1,2"

IV-Measure
Cd*Calibra-on*curve*
5000"

y"="4310,8x"+"113,05"
R"="0,99595"

4500"
4000"
3500"
Absorbance*

Abs X3000"
2500"
2000"
1500"
1000"
500"
0"
0"

0,2"

0,4"

0,6"

Concentra-ons*in*mg/L*

13

0,8"

1"

1,2"

IV-Measure

14

Cd

Control= Blank
Detection Limit= Mean of 6 Blanks + 3 x sd

Blank1 = 0,022 mg /L
Blank 2 = 0,022
Blank 3 = 0,021
Blank 4 = 0,023
Blank 5 = 0,023
Blank 6 = 0,021

Mean = 0,022 mg/L

sd = 0,0008 mg/L
Detection Limit:
0,022 +(3x0,0008) = 0,025 mg/L

Detection Limit in the tissue:

0,025 mg/L x 10ml / 0,2 g = 1,28 mg/kg (ppm)
15

Cd DOLT
Samples

Dolt 1

Dolt 2

Dolt 3

Weight in g

Concentrations ! Concentrations
in mg/L(in the in the tissue in
flask)
mg/kg (ppm)

0,1867

0,1775

0,2501

Cd = 24,9 mg/kg 0,6

0,479

0,479 x 10/
0,1867 = 25,7

0,438

0,438 x10 /
0,1775 = 24,7

0,612

0,612 x 10 /
0,2501 = 24,5

Certified Value = 24,3 mg/kg 0,8

16

Summary of DOLT values

Element

Observed values

Certified Values

Cadmium

24,9 mg/kg 0,6

24,3 mg/kg 0,8

Copper

21,4 mg/kg 1,2

31,2 mg/kg 1,1

Nickel

0,89 mg/kg 0,16

0,97 mg/kg 0,11

Zinc

111,5 mg/kg 2

116 mg/kg 6

17