High-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry: a review of current applications

Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) is one of the most widely used and available methods for analysis of substances and materials. It allows one to determine about 70 elements from the periodic table and is characterized by rapidity, high accuracy and sensitivity, as well as simplicity of analytical techniques. A feature of AAS is simultaneous determination of only one element due to the use of a measurement design with a line source (hollow-cathode lamps, high-frequency electrodeless lamps, optical quantum generators, etc.). To make AAS more competitive, the first commercially available continuum source atomic absorption spectrometer was designed in 2004. Unique analytical capabilities of the new instruments found application first of all in the analysis of food, pharmaceuticals, waste and drinking water, oil and petrochemicals, biological objects, etc. This review covers publications on the application of continuum source AAS in analytical chemistry and provides a development outlook of the method.