Methods / AAS

Atomic absorption spectroscopy

Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) is a versatile and cost-efficient method for quantifying metallic elements. Nonetheless, the popularity of AAS as a contaminant analysis technique has declined in recent years with the wide accessibility of ICP-based methods, which enable simultaneous multielement analysis.

Atomic absorption spectroscopy
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Some of our elemental analysis services

Lignin sample elemental analysis package

Metal analysis package for a lignin sample including the following elements: Al, Cd, Co, Pb, Hg, P, Na, Zn, Sb, Ca, Cu, Mg, Mo, K, Ti, As, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Si and V. The analysis is performed with ICP.
416 €
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Elemental analysis of solid and liquid samples with XRF

DIN 51418-1-08, EN 15309
XRF is a quantitative and qualitative method that can be used to analyze solid and liquid materials. This method is intended for a standard screening of homogeneous materials that do not require special sample preparation, precautions, or have any other special requirements. Wavelength-dispersive XRF (WDXRF) is used to perform the measurements unless energy-dispersive XRF (EDXRF) is specifically requested.
189–299 €
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Spark-OES analysis for metals & alloys

ASTM E 415
Spark-OES is a commonly used method to determine the elemental composition of metals and alloys. The method provides a better alternative to other similar analysis techniques (ICP-OES, ICP-MS, XRF) due to its speed and low detection limits. All metallic elements and some non-metallic elements, such as C, N, and S, can be detected in the ppm range. The method is suitable for solid metal pieces with a minimum size of 1 x 1 cm. Sample preparation is included in the analysis.
165–295 €
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ICP-MS analysis of geological samples (four acid digestion)

ICP-MS elemental analysis for geological samples (rocks, ore, mining samples) with Four Acid digestion. The analysis includes the following elements: Ag, Al, As, Ba, Be, Bi, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ga, Ge, Hf, In, K, La, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, Re, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Sn, Sr, Ta, Te, Th, Ti, Tl, U, V, W, Y, Zn, and Zr The following rare earth elements (REE) are also included: Dy, Er, Eu, Gd, Ho, Lu, Nd, Pr, Sm, Tb, Tm, and Yb Lead (Pb) isotope analysis is available for an extra cost (20 €) The price does not include pretreatment, such as crushing or sieving. Additional logistics costs are billed if the sample weighs more than 5 kg. Please note that we may be unable to offer these tests for small one-off projects involving just a few samples.
90–150 €
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ICP-MS analysis of geological samples (aqua regia digestion)

ICP-MS elemental analysis for geological samples (rocks, ore, mining samples) with aqua regia digestion. The analysis includes the following elements: Ag, Al, As, Au, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ga, Ge, Hf, Hg, In, K, La, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Ni, P, Pb, Pd, Pt, Rb, Re, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Sn, Sr, Ta, Te, Th, Ti, Tl, U, V, W, Y, Zn, and Zr. The following rare earth elements (REE) are also included: Dy, Er, Eu, Gd, Ho, Lu, Nd, Pr, Sm, Tb, Tm, and Yb. Gold determinations by this method are semi-quantitative due to the small sample weight used. The price does not include pretreatment, such as crushing or sieving. Shipping included up to 5 kg total weight, extra cost for larger shipments. Please note that we may be unable to offer these tests for small one-off projects involving just a few samples.
90–150 €
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TEM-EDX imaging

Imaging of the sample with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and determination of the elemental composition of the sample using electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX or EDS). Several images with varying magnifications are taken to get a good overview of the sample. An EDX mapping, line scan, or point measurement is collected to measure the sample composition (elemental at.% or wt.%). For solid samples, the analysis often requires FIB preparation, which is priced separately. HR-TEM can also be provided. Contact us for more details about the analysis options.
607–1,477 €
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34S stable isotope analysis

Stable isotope analysis of sulfur with elemental analyzer - isotope-ratio mass spectrometry (EA-IRMS). The results are reported as δ34SVCDT-‰, representing per mille deviations from the Vienna Canyon Diablo Trolite (VCDT) standard.
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AES measurement

Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES) is a surface-sensitive technique (3-9 nm) used for compositional analysis and depth profiling, providing data on the elemental composition in depth. Secondary electron images can also be provided. AES is a very useful technique to measure patterns since it has a beam size that can go down to a few nm.
438–960 €
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Prices excluding VAT.

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What is AAS used for?

Atomic absorption spectroscopy is used in both food and pharmaceutical industries to detect toxic heavy metals in consumer products. It can also be used to perform environmental analyses, including pollution monitoring and water analysis to determine mineral content. In mining and geological studies, AAS is used to characterize ore and mineral samples to help identify the amounts of valuable metals within the rock.

How does atomic absorption spectroscopy work?

Atomic absorption spectroscopy is based on the unique property of atoms to absorb specific wavelengths of light. AAS analysis begins with the vaporization of the sample, generally by a flame, which breaks the sample down into atoms. A light source with a wavelength specific to the element of interest is then directed at the sample, the amount of absorbed light measured, and the amount of the element calculated based on the result. If several elements are to be quantified, the process has to be repeated with a different wavelength light source for each element.

Sample requirements and preparation

AAS samples must be in a form where they can be easily dispersed as an aerosol. This usually means they need to be in a solution, requiring solid samples to be dissolved in a suitable solvent before analysis. Larger samples may require further breaking apart or grinding to ensure easy dissolution.

Advantages of using AAS

The primary advantage of AAS analysis is that it is a relatively straightforward analytical technique that can be performed quickly and at a low cost. It is also highly accurate and provides high sensitivity, being able to detect metallic elements in small quantities. Its detection limit is not quite as low as that of atomic fluorescence spectroscopy, however, which makes the latter better suited for detecting contaminants at trace levels.

Limitations of AAS analysis

AAS cannot offer information regarding chemical structure, chirality, or any other non-elemental analysis. Furthermore, due to the way they interact with light, most non-metals cannot be readily detected through AAS.

The sample must either be in the form of a liquid or be dissolved before analysis, which may limit the method’s usage with certain insoluble compounds. AAS is also a destructive technique, so any sample is broken down during atomization and cannot be recovered post-analysis. As only one element at a time can be detected, this means that relatively large sample volumes are needed for multielement analysis.

Due to these disadvantages, AAS is not as commonly used today as it was in the past. More common contemporary elemental analysis methods include ICP-OES and ICP-MS.

Meeri Rantanen

Questions?

Chemical testing expert Meeri Rantanen is happy to help.

+358 50 313 1948

Need an analysis?

If you are interested in atomic absorption spectroscopy or other ways to determine the elemental makeup of a sample, please contact our experts through the form below. More than 700 companies have chosen Measurlabs as their testing partner for accurate results and dependable service for everything from routine analyses to large research projects including hundreds of samples.

Suitable sample matrices

  • Aqueous solutions
  • Mineral solutions
  • Water samples
  • Pharmaceuticals

Ideal uses of AAS analysis

  • Environmental testing
  • Food and drink analysis
  • Forensic analysis
  • Toxicology

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Frequently asked questions

What is atomic absorption spectroscopy commonly used for?

Common applications of atomic absorption spectroscopy include the detection of impurities in food and pharmaceutical products, the determination of pollutants in water, and the detection of precious metals in ore.

What are the limitations of AAS analysis?

Only metallic elements can be detected with AAS. Analysis of solid samples is also complicated by the need to dissolve samples in a suitable solvent.

What is Measurlabs?

Measurlabs offers a variety of laboratory analyses for product developers and quality managers. We perform some of the analyses in our own lab, but mostly we outsource them to carefully selected partner laboratories. This way we can send each sample to the lab that is best suited for the purpose, and offer high-quality analyses with more than a thousand different methods to our clients.

How does the service work?

When you contact us through our contact form or by email, one of our specialists will take ownership of your case and answer your query. You get an offer with all the necessary details about the analysis, and can send your samples to the indicated address. We will then take care of sending your samples to the correct laboratories and write a clear report on the results for you.

How do I send my samples?

Samples are usually delivered to our laboratory via courier. Contact us for further details before sending samples.