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
Kone logoNeste logoFermion logoPlanmeca logoSulapac logoOkmetic logo

Some of our elemental analysis services

Elemental analysis of geological sample with ICP-MS (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, Rb, Re, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Sn, Sr, Ta, Te, Th, Ti, Tl, U, V, W, Y, Zn, and Zr. 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 is 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.
158 €
Read more

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 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.
95–158 €
Read more

Elemental analysis of paper and biomass with ICP method

High-resolution ICP-MS (ICP-SFMS) measurement package for biomass-based samples, including paper, wood, pulp, and lignin. The analysis includes pre-treatment of the sample with nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide in a microwave-assisted digestion process. Concentrations of the following elements are measured: Element LOQ (mg/kg) Al 0.7 As 0.08 Ba 0.04 Ca 4 Cd 0.005 Co 0.005 Cr 0.03 Cu 0.1 Fe 0.2 K 1 Mg 1 Mn 0.04 Mo 0.004 Na 50 Ni 0.04 P 2 Pb 0.04 Ti 0.002 V 0.02 Zn 0.2 The results are reported in mg/kg d.m. for each element.
305 €
Read more

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: Element Detection limit (mg/kg d.m.) Ag 0.5 As 0.5 Ba 0.2 Be 0.01 Cd 0.4 Co 0.2 Cr 0.5 Cu 1 Fe 10 Hg 0.2 Li 1 Mn 0.5 Mo 0.4 Ni 1 P 5 Pb 1 Sb 0.5 Sn 1 Sr 0.1 Tl 0.5 V 0.1 Zn 3 The concentrations are expressed in mg/kg d.m. A nutrient measurement package for soil, sludge, or sediment samples is also available. This package includes aqua regia decomposition pretreatment and the measurement of the following elements with 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.
91 €
Read more

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 €
Read more

Elemental analysis of solvents with ICP-MS

The ICP-MS technique provides information on the concentrations of metals in a sample. This analysis package for solvents includes the following elements: Element Detection limit (mg/kg) Hf 0.0001 Hg 0.0001 Pb 0.0001 U 0.0001 Ga 0.0005 In 0.0005 Rb 0.0005 Ag 0.001 Cd 0.001 Co 0.001 Cs 0.001 Mn 0.001 Mo 0.001 Nb 0.001 Sb 0.001 Sn 0.001 Ti 0.001 Tl 0.001 Te 0.005 V 0.005 As 0.01 B 0.01 Ba 0.01 Be 0.01 Bi 0.01 Cr 0.01 Cu 0.01 Fe 0.01 Li 0.01 Ni 0.01 Se 0.01 Sr 0.01 Zr 0.01 Zn 0.05 Al 0.1 Mg 0.1 P 0.5 Si 0.5 Ca 1 K 1 Na 1 The concentrations are reported in mg/kg or µg/L for each measured element. Please send the safety data sheet (SDS) together with the samples.
362 €
Read more

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 €
Read more

Elemental analysis of natural water with ICP-MS and AFS

EN ISO 17294-2, EN ISO 178 52, EN 16192, …
Simultaneous determination of the following elements in water samples with the ICP-MS technique (AFS is used for Hg): Element LOQ (µg/L) Ag 1 Al 5 As 1 B 10 Ba 0.5 Be 0.2 Ca 50 Cd 0.02 Co 0.5 Cr 0.2 Cu 1 Fe 2 Hg 0.005 K 50 Li 1 Mg 3 Mn 0.5 Mo 1 Na 30 Ni 2 P 50 Pb 0.5 Se 1 Sn 1 Ti 1 Tl 0.5 U 0.1 V 1 Zn 2 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 otherwise significantly different from natural water (for example, wastewater and industrial water), different analysis methods need to be used, which will affect the price and the quantification limits. The concentration of each element is reported in µg/l.
100 €
Read more

Prices excluding VAT.

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.

Need analysis services?

If you are interested in atomic absorption spectroscopy or other ways to determine the elemental makeup of a sample, do not hesitate to contact our experts using the form below. More than 1,000 companies have already chosen Measurlabs as their testing partner for accurate results and dependable service, for everything from routine analyses to large research projects covering hundreds of samples.

Method Expert

Meeri Rantanen
Meeri Rantanen

MSc in Chemistry

Environment & Industry

Suitable sample matrices

  • Aqueous solutions
  • Mineral solutions
  • Water samples
  • Pharmaceuticals

Ideal uses of AAS analysis

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

Ask for an offer

Fill in the form, and we'll reply in one business day.

Have questions or need help? Email us at or call our sales team.

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.