Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) is an analytical technique used to identify and determine quantitatively the amount of elements present in a solution using the absorption of optical radiation by free atoms in the gas phase. AAS can be used to determine over 70 different elements in solution in the range of ppm (mg/L). For some elements this range can be extended to even a few ppb (µg/L).
We use an AAS instrument for water chemistry tests, to determine the concentration of elements of interest in a sample, but it can also be used to analyze solid samples by dissolving the element(s) of interest into a solution phase. AAS can also be used for calibration as an independent check, or in a complimentary manner along with XRF, XRD, in-house water chemistry and other analyses.
