Atomic absorption spectroscopy for metal analysis

In atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) element specific light absorption is used to determine the concentration of a metal in a solution. A liquid sample is aspirated, aerosolized, and mixed with combustible gases (acetylene and air). This mixture is combusted to reduce the elements of interest into free atoms that absorp light at a specific wavelength. From measuring the amount of absorbed light the concentration of the element can be calculated. For combustion either a flame (for higher concentrations) or a graphite furnace (for very low concentrations) is used.

Atomic absorptionAtomic absorption 1
Flame AAS

Atomic absorption 2Atomic absorption 3
Graphite Furnace AAS