Atomic Spectrometry Update—Atomic Mass Spectrometry and X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry

Abstract

Strong developments continue in most areas of atomic spectrometry and this review year has seen the introduction of new instrumentation and methodologies, refinements and improvements of established procedures and applications to new fields of study. The large number of papers published on ICP-MS and TIMS, in particular, demonstrates the high level of activity in these areas and the continuing need to lower the detection limits, improve sensitivities and precisions and to explore new areas of application. Many of the techniques are very versatile and atomic MS in general can be used to undertake virtually any type of elemental or isotopic analysis on any type of matrix. Although developments in the coupling of chromatography with MS have been slow, there is still seen to be an interest in this promising development.