ABSTRACT
An atomic absorption spectrophotometer equipped with a graphite furnace or an electrically heated atomizer, instead of a standard burner head, offers better sensitivity and a much lower detection limit compared to the flame method (see Chapter 8). The sensitivity of electrothermal AAS or graphite furnace AAS (GrAAS) makes it ideal for trace metals analysis. The GrAAS determination of most metallic element sensitivities and detection limits is 20 to 1000 times better than that of conventional flame techniques. Many elements can be determined at concentrations as low as 1.0 µg/l.
