Atomic spectrometry in environmental analysis: jam today or jam tomorrow? Plenary lecture

Abstract

Over the past four decades, there has been a series of dramatic developments in analytical atomic spectrometry, many of which have eventually found their way into routine use in environmental chemical analysis. This paper outlines briefly what the author perceives as key developments to environmental chemical analysis and explains briefly why they occurred. Some developments in flame spectrometry in the author's laboratory are also discussed. The paper concludes with an assessment of the extent to which current developments in analytical atomic spectrometry meet the needs and aspirations of the present-day environmental analytical chemist.