Separative column atomizer (SCA) for direct analysis by atomic absorption spectrometry. GC separation characteristics

Abstract An improved separative column atomizer (SCA) usable at higher temperatures up to 1350°C has been constructed. Emphasis in this article is on the GC characteristics of an improved separative column atomizer (SCA) module to reduce the interferences caused by background absorption that is often unavoidable in direct analysis of practical samples. By direct AAS analysis, mercury in some organic samples has been successfully determined without background absorption due to non-atomic species resulting from the sample matrices. In the direct atomization of samples in EDTA matrix, however, complete elimination of the background absorption was not possible. Nevertheless, GC separation found in the improved SCA was effective in the measurement of the AA peak free from molecular absorption. Evidences of the GC separation were also given by the analysis of effluent gases.