Atomic Spectrometry Update—Environmental Analysis

Abstract

This review is the third in an annual series covering the applications of atomic spectrometry in environmental analysis. It is based upon the references included in JAAS, Volume 2 (1987), which, as usual, included both published papers and conference presentations. While much of the material discussed represents a slow but steady evolution in method development following on from earlier years, there are one or two areas where rapid progress is now being made. Most notable is the increased application of ICP-MS to environmental samples, with the realisation of some of the exciting possibilities it presents. Among these is the opportunity to use alternative isotopes of determinant elements as the ultimate in internal standards. Further applications of the use of stable isotope tracers are to be expected with increased instrument availability in coming years. Other major growth areas include more widespread use of platform-in-furnace ETA systems with high quality background correction, and the quest for improved, or possibly even universal, matrix modifiers. Those based on Pd look particularly interesting. Slurry sample introduction techniques too are worthy of special mention.