PUNJAB AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY
LUDHIANA
Production Technology of Summer Season
Vegetable Crops
(Veg 502)
Atomic Absorption Spectrometer
Anusha KR
L -2019-H-205-M
MSc 1st yr.
Vegetable
Science
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy
Introduction
 Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) is a very
common technique used to detect metals in the
samples.
 It is a spectro-analytical procedure for the
quantitative determination of chemical elements
using the absorption of optical radiation by free
atoms in the gaseous state.
 It can analyze over 70 elements.
Principle
 AAS utilizes the principle that elements in the gas
phase absorb light at very specific wavelengths
which gives the technique excellent specificity and
detection limits.
 The sample may be an aqueous or organic solution,
indeed it may even be solid provided it can be
dissolved successfully. The liquid is drawn in to a
flame where it is ionized in the gas phase.
 Light of a specific wavelength appropriate to the
element being analyzed is shone through the flame,
the absorption is proportional to the concentration of
the element. Quantification is achieved by preparing
standards of the element.
Schematic diagram of AAS
INSTRUMENTATION
Light Source
 The light source is usually a hollow cathode lamp of
the element that is being measured
 It contains a tungsten anode and a hollow cylindrical
cathode made of the element to be determined
 These are sealed in a glass tube filled with an inert
gas (neon or argon )
 Each element has its own unique lamp which must
be used for that analysis .
Atomizer
 Elements to be analyzed needs to be in atomic state.
 Atomization is separation of particles into individual
molecules and breaking molecules into atoms .
 .This is done by exposing the analyte to high
temperatures in a flame or graphite furnace.
 There are two types of atomization : Flame and
Graphite furnace atomization .
 The solid particles are vaporized into their free
gaseous ground state form . In this form atoms will
be available to absorb radiation emitted from the
light source and thus generate a measurable signal
proportional to concentration .
Monochromator
 It plays a crucial part in AAS.
 It is used to select the specific wavelength of light
which is absorbed by the sample, and exclude other
wavelengths.
 This helps in the determination of selected elements
in the presence of others.
Detector
 The role of the detector is to convert a light signal
into an electrical signal.
 The type of detector found in AAS is the
photomultiplier tube - the principle of operation is the
emission of electrons upon exposure to radiation.
Applications
 Clinical analysis : Analyzing metals in biological
fluids such as blood and urine.
 Environmental analysis : Monitoring our
environment – e g finding out the levels of various
elements in rivers, seawater, drinking water, air, and
petrol.
 Pharmaceuticals.
 Industry : Many raw materials are examined and
AAS is widely used to check that the major elements
are present and that toxic impurities are lower than
specified.
Thank you

Atomic absorption spectrometer

  • 1.
    PUNJAB AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY LUDHIANA ProductionTechnology of Summer Season Vegetable Crops (Veg 502) Atomic Absorption Spectrometer Anusha KR L -2019-H-205-M MSc 1st yr. Vegetable Science
  • 2.
  • 3.
    Introduction  Atomic AbsorptionSpectroscopy (AAS) is a very common technique used to detect metals in the samples.  It is a spectro-analytical procedure for the quantitative determination of chemical elements using the absorption of optical radiation by free atoms in the gaseous state.  It can analyze over 70 elements.
  • 4.
    Principle  AAS utilizesthe principle that elements in the gas phase absorb light at very specific wavelengths which gives the technique excellent specificity and detection limits.  The sample may be an aqueous or organic solution, indeed it may even be solid provided it can be dissolved successfully. The liquid is drawn in to a flame where it is ionized in the gas phase.  Light of a specific wavelength appropriate to the element being analyzed is shone through the flame, the absorption is proportional to the concentration of the element. Quantification is achieved by preparing standards of the element.
  • 5.
  • 6.
  • 7.
    Light Source  Thelight source is usually a hollow cathode lamp of the element that is being measured  It contains a tungsten anode and a hollow cylindrical cathode made of the element to be determined  These are sealed in a glass tube filled with an inert gas (neon or argon )  Each element has its own unique lamp which must be used for that analysis .
  • 8.
    Atomizer  Elements tobe analyzed needs to be in atomic state.  Atomization is separation of particles into individual molecules and breaking molecules into atoms .  .This is done by exposing the analyte to high temperatures in a flame or graphite furnace.  There are two types of atomization : Flame and Graphite furnace atomization .  The solid particles are vaporized into their free gaseous ground state form . In this form atoms will be available to absorb radiation emitted from the light source and thus generate a measurable signal proportional to concentration .
  • 9.
    Monochromator  It playsa crucial part in AAS.  It is used to select the specific wavelength of light which is absorbed by the sample, and exclude other wavelengths.  This helps in the determination of selected elements in the presence of others.
  • 10.
    Detector  The roleof the detector is to convert a light signal into an electrical signal.  The type of detector found in AAS is the photomultiplier tube - the principle of operation is the emission of electrons upon exposure to radiation.
  • 11.
    Applications  Clinical analysis: Analyzing metals in biological fluids such as blood and urine.  Environmental analysis : Monitoring our environment – e g finding out the levels of various elements in rivers, seawater, drinking water, air, and petrol.  Pharmaceuticals.  Industry : Many raw materials are examined and AAS is widely used to check that the major elements are present and that toxic impurities are lower than specified.
  • 12.