Atomic Spectrometry Update—Environmental Analysis

Abstract

This review is the seventh in a series of annual updates concerned with applications of analytical atomic spectrometry to the analysis of environmental materials. As usual, the reviewers have attempted to highligth in the text novel methodological developments and modifications, ignoring the great bulk of more routine analytical applications. It should be remembered, therefore, that the review contents reflect those topics where problems are still perceived to occur, rather than trends in the routine use of different techniques. As might be expected, sample preparation again figures prominantly, especially in plant, soil and geological analysis. This stage of analysis is invariably the most time consuming for many environmental samples, and it is not surprising therefore that microwave-assisted digestions are again receiving much attention. In geological analysis, the result of numerous intercomparisons of of techniques have been reported, prompted often by the availability of ICP-MS, with its excellent selectivity and detection power. However, INAA and XRF will continue to have their firm advocates. There is no general ‘best’ technique. The analyst will always need to consider what elements are to be determined, what detection limits are needed, what concentration ranges need to be be covered, the precision required and the hardware, software and manpower (quality and quantity) available. Even the, the ‘best’ this year may not remain the ‘best’ next year.