Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 16, 2026

Quantification of Heavy Metals and Other Inorganic Contaminants on the Productivity of Microalgae
10:20

Quantification of Heavy Metals and Other Inorganic Contaminants on the Productivity of Microalgae

Published on: July 10, 2015

Atomic absorption spectroscopy for mercury, automated by sequential injection and miniaturized in lab-on-valve system

Holger Erxleben1, Jaromir Ruzicka

  • 1Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Box 351700, Seattle, WA 98195-1700, USA.

Analytical Chemistry
|August 16, 2005
PubMed

More Related Videos

Automated 90Sr Separation and Preconcentration in a Lab-on-Valve System at Ppq Level08:53

Automated 90Sr Separation and Preconcentration in a Lab-on-Valve System at Ppq Level

Published on: June 6, 2018

Measuring Dissolved Methane in Aquatic Ecosystems Using An Optical Spectroscopy Gas Analyzer05:00

Measuring Dissolved Methane in Aquatic Ecosystems Using An Optical Spectroscopy Gas Analyzer

Published on: July 26, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Lab01:21

Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Lab

For AAS measurements, samples must be introduced as clear solutions, often requiring extensive preliminary treatment to dissolve materials like soils, animal tissues, and minerals. Common methods for sample preparation include treatment with hot mineral acids, wet ashing, combustion in closed containers, high-temperature ashing, or fusion with reagents.
 Solutions containing organic solvents, such as low-molecular-mass alcohols, esters, or ketones, enhance absorbances by increasing nebulizer...
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Atomization Methods01:25

Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Atomization Methods

Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) atomizes samples through flame atomization or electrothermal atomization. Flame atomization typically involves a nebulizer and spray chamber assembly to combine the sample with a fuel–oxidant mixture, creating a fine aerosol mist that enters a burner. Typically, the fuel and oxidant are combined in an approximately stoichiometric ratio. However, for atoms that are easily oxidized, a fuel-rich mixture may be more advantageous. Only about 5% of the aerosol...
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Instrumentation01:22

Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Instrumentation

An atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) comprises several components: a radiation source, an atomizer, a monochromator, and a detector. The radiation source can be a hollow-cathode lamp (HCL) or an electrodeless-discharge lamp (EDL), both of which provide a narrow emission line of the required wavelength. However, some instruments use continuum sources and high-resolution monochromators to achieve a narrow range of radiation.
The atomizer used in AAS can be either a flame atomizer or an...
Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Instrumentation01:22

Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Instrumentation

The instrumentation of atomic emission spectrometry (AES) involves various components, including atomization devices that convert samples into gas-phase atoms and ions. There are two main types of atomization devices: continuous and discrete atomizers.  Continuous atomizers, like plasmas and flames, introduce samples in a constant stream, while discrete atomizers inject individual samples using syringes or autosamplers. The most common discrete atomizer is the electrothermal atomizer.
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Overview01:27

Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Overview

Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) is a technique used to analyze elements by measuring electromagnetic radiation (EMR) absorbed by atoms, which causes them to transition to a higher-energy orbit. The most crucial step in AAS is atomization, where the analyte is converted into gas-phase atoms, typically through a flame or furnace. Some of these atoms become thermally excited in the flame, while most remain in the ground state.
When irradiated by EMR of a particular wavelength, these...
Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Instrumentation01:26

Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Instrumentation

Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) is the common plasma source used in atomic emission spectroscopy (AES), a technique that detects and analyzes various elements in a sample. This method is often called inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES).
There are three main types of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy  (ICP-AES) instruments: sequential, simultaneous multichannel, and Fourier transform instruments, with the latter being less commonly used.