Harsh K.

Dixit

Envirotech Center for Research & Development

New Delhi

NAAQM Standards

 The Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy technique makes use of absorption spectrometry to assess the concentration of an analyte in the sample. Method is based on: Active sampling using PM10 Respirable Dust Sampler & then Sample digestion Analsis by Atomic absorption spectrophotometer

PM10 Sampler Hot plate Analytical Balance Digestion Chamber Polypropylene bottle Glasswares Atomic absorption spectrophotometer

Filter Paper: 8x10 EPM2000 Hydrochloric Acid (HCl) concentrated Nitric Acid (HNO3) concentrated Sulphuric Acid (H2SO4) concentrated Metal Standard Solutions Sodium borohydride Potassium iodide Distilled water

1. Microwave Digestion 2. Hot Plate Digestion

 Cut filter paper in small pieces Place these small pieces into a beaker using plastic forceps Cover the filter with extraction solution Place beaker on the hot plate for 30 min. Dont allow sample to dry Remove beaker from hot plate & allow to cool Rinse beaker walls & wash with distilled water Filter the extract and make up to 50 ml.

A light beam containing the corresponding wavelength of the energy required to raise the atoms of the analyte from the ground state to the excited state is directed through the flame or furnace. This wavelength is observed by a monochromator and a detector that measure the amount of light absorbed by the element, hence the number of atoms in the ground state in the flame or furnace. A hollow cathode lamp for the element being determined provides a source of that metals particular absorption wavelength.

I. Flame atomic absorption: for Pb & Ni

II. Graphite furnace atomic absorption: for Low detection limit of Pb & Ni III. Flame-VGA atomic absorption: for As

Choose correct hollow cathod lamp Align the instrument Position the monochromator Select proper monochromator slit width Set the light source current Ignite the flame Regulate the flow of fuel & oxidant Adjust the burner for maximum absorption & stability

Choose correct hollow cathod lamp Place the furnace Align the instrument Position the monochromator Select proper monochromator slit width Set the light source current Switch on chiller Regulate the flow of fuel & oxidant Adjust the burner for maximum absorption & stability Clean graphite tube with a firing

 Prepare standard solutions from the stock solutions. Select at least three standards to cover linear range as recommended by method. Aspirate the standards into the flame or inject the standards into the furnace and record the absorbance. Prepare the calibration graph by plotting absorbance and concentration in g/ml.

C = (Ms Mb) x Vs x Fa/V x Ft

Where, C = concentration, g metal/m3 Ms = metal concentration g/mL Mb = blank concentration g/mL Vs = total volume of extraction in mL Fa = total area of exposed filter in cm2 V = Volume of air sampled in m3 Ft = Area of filter taken for digestion in cm2