Flame Atomic Absorption / Emission Spectrometry

Flame Atomic Absorption / Emission Spectrometry

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Measurands currently available include: sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and lithium.

Future plans exist to transfer these methods onto an Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) platform.

Traceability

MeasurandStandard (certfied purity)Control Material
SodiumNIST 919BNIST956d
PotassiumPotassium Standard for AAS (Fluka TraceCert)NIST956d
CalciumCalcium Standard for AAS (Fluka TraceCert)NIST956d
MagnesiumMagnesium Standard for AAS (Fluka TraceCert)NIST956d
LithiumLithium Standard for AAS (Fluka TraceCert)NIST956d

Measurement Method Details

CationSample pre-treatmentTechniqueWavelength (nm)

Sodium

1/2025 dilution
Ionisation suppressant (CsCl)*
Surfactant (0.1% Triton)
Emission589.6
Potassium

1/450 dilution
Ionisation suppressant (CsCl)*
Surfactant (0.1% Triton)

Emission766.5
Calcium

1/25 dilution
Releasing agent (LaCl)**
Surfactant (0.1% Triton)

Absorption422.7
Magnesium

1/150 dilution
Releasing agent (LaCl)**
Surfactant (0.1% Triton)

Absorption285.2
Lithium

1/15 dilution
Releasing agent (NaCl & KNO3)
Surfactant (0.1% Triton)

Absorption670.8

*2000 PPM, **1000 PPM

Reference Method Proposed Limits

MeasurandProposed AEmax(%)Actual AEmax(%)Proposed Biasmax(%)Actual Biasmax(%)

Sodium

1.30.80.50.2
Potassium

2.0

1.70.80.7
Calcium

1.7

1.10.50.4
Magnesium

1.7

1.50.50.5
Lithium

2.4

1.91.21.9

Theinpoint et al: Specifications for Reference Methods and Networks of Reference Laboratories from Members of the External Quality Assessment (EQA) Working Group B on target Values in EQAS. Eur J Clin Chem Clin Biochem 1995, 33:949-957.

All samples are diluted using an automated robotic workstation directly from the primary sample.

All samples are diluted using an automated robotic workstation directly from the primary sample.