Atomic Spectrometry Update—Environmental Analysis

Abstract

This is the eleventh annual review published in JAAS of the application of atomic spectrometry to the chemical analysis of environmental samples. The format used is broadly similar to that of previous years, apart from one or two additional sub-headings. Over the past year, a further substantial increase has been seen in the number of publications concerned with the exploitation of the analytical power of ICP-MS and MS techniques generally, and this is reflected in the contents of both text and tables. Sampling and sample preparation techniques occupy a prominent position, as ever. Partly, this reflects the sustained realization of the need to use valid methodology, and partly it reflects the continued search for simpler, speedier, inexpensive and safe methods. Interest in speciation, either using operationally defined procedures or in a stricter chemical sense, continues to grow alongside the growing global awareness of pollution problems in the environment. As in other recent reviews in this series, there has been a substantial body of papers concerned with consolidation of existing methodology, rather than exciting and radically new developments. This reflects the increasing burden put upon environmental analysts to produce more data of high quality for both routine monitoring of the environment and for fundamental environmental chemical research.