Elemental Analysis: An Introduction to Modern Spectrometric Techniques

Qualitative and quantitative elemental analysis of substance mixtures was a do- main of the classical wet chemical methods for centuries. Even at the second half of the 20th century the qualitative and quantitative analytical practicum was the cum- bersome start into the Chemists´ career. At about 1950, attractive spectroscopy methods started to appear on the market. X- ray fluorescence techniques, spark optical emission spectrometers were intro- duced in many laboratories between 1950 and 1960. Flame atomic absorption spec- trometry (FAAS) was marketed starting from 1960. In 1970, the graphite furnace AAS was added. The rapid distribution of optical emission spectrometry (OES) started with addition of the inductively coupled plasma (ICP) source to the spec- trometers in 1975. Elemental analysis was further enhanced with addition of induc- tively coupled plasma - mass spectrometers (ICP-MS) between 1980 and 1985. Using spectroscopy and electrochemical analytical methods, trace and ultra- trace analysis to unimaginably low detection limits became possible. The last 2 dec- ades of the last century can be denominated as the grand decades of research in elemental spectrometric determinations. There was hope, to gain all necessary chemical information through physical methods. Each of the new techniques and each of the additions to spectrometric methods were promoted to be interference free and coming close to “absolute analysis”. With intensive use of these methods in industrial, environmental, medical laboratories, however, it soon became obvi- ous that there are no interference free methods and there is chemistry involved in the analytical process. Thus, there is a continuing need for trained analysts to prop- erly use and extend the capabilities of modern spectrometers. At present, the fully automatic working machine with artificial intelligence replacing the analytical chemist is not on the horizon.