Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy Advantages And Disadvantages

Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy

The initial creation of Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry was as an analytical technique to help determine the concentration of analytes in solutions or solid samples, developed by two German professors; Robert Bunsen and Gustav Kirchhoff. By the 1950’s, it became more commercialized as a modern way to clinically analyze elements in various samples; it has given chemists the ability to measure the amount of metal content in biological fluids such as blood and plasma. It also has given pharmaceuticals the ability to identify the amount of byproduct in their final commercialized products or more specifically the mineral content in water (Harris).

No matter if the purpose is clinical or science-based, the analysis

However, some downfalls do become the device as a whole from the use of multiple instruments.

Advantages of Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy

Accuracy: atomic absorption is one of the methods providing little deviation from true results, atomic absorption carried out at a rate of 0.5-5%.

Sensitivity: Due to its commercialized use of the spectrophotometer, sensitivity is of high importance. Its method of detection provides AAS with the ability to measure parts per billion of a gram of a substance. This is vital in medicine, for example, when trying to detect the amount traces of toxins or elements in medication or patient’s bodies. The same goes for pharmaceutical companies; it helps them find and eliminate undesirable byproducts or impure traces of catalyst (Petro). Importance of food and agriculture implements the use of AAS by identifying the presence of either wanted or unwanted trace elements such as cobalt or molybdenum in crops and

AAS eliminates this heavy use, making it relatively cheaper that other devices (Petro).

Accessibility: the device depends on light absorption and the radiation of photons which is easily accessible to many people no matter the purpose of their use.

Disadvantages of Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy

Limitations in versatility: Most if no al spectrophotometers can only analyze liquid samples, making solid samples impossible to test or forcing the conversion of a sample of different substance to additionally be dissolved, diluted, etc. In that state, liquids also take more time to analyze than solid samples (Petro).

Equipment. Due to the use of several different instruments being implemented to make a whole device, all the components lead to a bigger price tag.

Precision. Unfortunately, the exposure to chemicals and traces of elements in the atmosphere and surrounding lab areas leads to the distortion of metal samples in the experiment.

Maintenance: The use of multiple instruments also causes the problem of maintenance, for example the cathode lamp and flame must maintained a clean and safe state at all times while tubing and drainage of the analyte require cleaning and assembly for each