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

Elemental analysis of geological samples with ICP-MS (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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Elemental analysis of geological sample with ICP-MS (aqua regia digestion)

90–150 €
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Elemental analysis of lignin and other solid bio-based material with ICP techniques

SCAN CM 38
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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Elemental analysis of water with ICP-MS

EN ISO 17294-2, EN ISO 178 52, EN 16192, …
Determination of Be, Ba, Co, Al, Mg, Cu, Li, Mn, Ag, Sn, Ti, V, Zn, Tl, B, Hg, Mo, Fe, Ca, K, U, P, Cd, Na, Cr, Ni, Pb, Sb, As, and Se in water samples with ICP-MS-technique. The sample is homogenized and acidified (HNO3), after which the analysis is performed from the liquid phase. The displayed price applies to natural waters. (for example, river or lake water) If the sample contains a lot of solids or the matrix is significantly different from natural water (for example, wastewater and industrial waters), different analysis methods need to be used. The concentration of each element is reported in µg/l.
95 €
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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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Elemental analysis of soil, sludge, and sediment with ICP-OES

EPA 200.7, EPA 3050, EPA 6010, …
ICP-OES measurement package for soil, sludge, or sediment samples. Pre-treatment of the sample with aqua regia decomposition is included in the price. The following elements are quantified using the ICP-OES technique: Ag, As, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, Sr, Tl, V, and Zn. The concentrations are expressed in mg/kg d.m. Also, nutrient measurement package for soil, sludge, or sediment samples using the ICP-OES method. This package includes the analysis includes the pre-treatment of the sample with aqua regia decomposition and the measurement of the following elements using the ICP-OES technique: Al, B, Bi, Ca, K, Mg, Na, S, Se, Si, Te, Ti, and Zr. The analysis is also available with an express turnaround time. Ask our experts for more information. More specific packages, such as heavy metals or nutrients, can also be provided for soil, sediment, or sludge samples.
87 €
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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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Prices excluding VAT.

  • Fast turnaround times
  • Personal service from method experts
  • Competitive prices
  • Result accuracy guarantee

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.

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.