Neutron Activation Analysis, Atomic Absorption and X‐Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry Review for 2004–2005

Abstract

These technologically mature techniques occupied a stable to modestly increasing sector of the spectrum of analytical methods in Earth and environmental sciences in 2004–5. Despite this, several notable advances were reported in this two year period. In the field of X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry, these included the development of portable synchrotron and total reflection instruments, the use of pyroelectric crystals as X‐ray generators, introduction of high‐purity Ge detector arrays, and the development of an XRF imaging spectrometer with the capability of mapping analytes and X‐ray intensity ratio. Atomic absorption s spectrometry saw major work published on high‐resolution continuum source AAS (HR‐CS AAS) involving the development of a xenon short‐arc lamp. Other advances included the use of laser wave mixing in a graphite furnace tube (with a claimed detection limit of 10–16 g g‐1), solid sampling and ultrasound in sample preparation. Neutron activation analysis saw two innovations that may herald future growth in this technique, namely a neutron source free of a nuclear reactor and a detector operating at room temperature.

GGR Biennial Review: Atomic Absorption, Inductively Coupled Plasma‐Atomic Emission Spectrometry, Neutron Activation Analysis and X‐Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry Review for 2008–2009

“…Ditter et al. (2009) measured Ag in solid geological samples using high‐resolution continuous source AAS (HR‐CS‐AAS), which was highlighted as a promising technique in an earlier review (Bédard 2006). Solid samples of 0.1–0.2 mg were analysed in the graphite furnace and a calibration was undertaken with mix of Ag solution and certified reference materials (CRM) such as WPR‐1 (altered peridodite with gold and platinum‐group elements).…”

Atomic spectrometry update. Environmental analysis

“…Although AAS is still in routine use for geochemical analysis in many laboratories, there is little new to report. Be´dard 285 has reviewed developments in AAS in relation to the earth sciences for the period 2004-2005. Some development work has focused on the use of ultrasound in sample preparation.…”

“…Thermal ionisation mass spectrometry (TIMS) is a mature technique that still finds favour over MC-ICP-MS for a variety of applications, particularly those where sample mass is limited. 285 Charlier and co-workers 320 describe methods for taking mg samples from single crystals (mainly feldspar) and purifying them for the determination of Rb and Sr isotopes by TIMS and MC-ICP-MS. Although the procedure of micromilling, dissolution and chemical separation, followed by analysis by TIMS, is time consuming, the authors considered it to be the best method for obtaining highly accurate and precise Sr data in most geological materials when handling small masses.…”