| Abstract: | The trend in the modern analytical laboratory is toward lower and lower analytical concentration measurements. The analyst has a variety of analytical instruments and techniques in which to meet the ever growing need for lower concentration measurements with improved precision and accuracy. Techniques available to the analyst include flame and electrothermal atomization-atomic absorption spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometry, laser enhanced ionization spectrometry, neutron activation analysis, spectrophotometry, isotope dilution mass spectrometry, X-ray fluorescence spectometry, electroanalytical, and chromatography. However, there is no analytical technique that is a panacea for all analytes in the modern analytical laboratory. Steps the analyst must consider to obtain the highest degree of precision and accuracy include the obtaining of a representative sample, the selection of the “best” analytical method, the preparation of the sample, the calibration of the instrumentation, the deciding on the level of effort for the chemical measurement and the evaluation of the data are discussed. |
