| Abstract: | The techniques of analytical, valence electron, atomic spectrometry (absorption, fluorescence and emission), by themselves, are mainly for the determination of the
amount of an element in a sample which has been prepared as a
. For a large fraction of trace element analysis such an approach is satisfactory. However, there are some other very important requirements in trace element analysis not now adequately being addressed by analytical atomic spectrometry. A selection of these, familiar to the present writer, will be covered in this presentation. Some interesting initiatives to “bridge the gaps” are now being made. The topics to be discussed are; elemental speciation, direct analysis of solids, elemental and natural isotope analysis using plasma sources, micro analysis by laser probe and vapour generation approaches to improved detection limits. This is not intended to be an exhaustive review of these subject areas but will present material of interest together with recently published key papers. Greatest emphasis is given to the very important topic of speciation. |
