Z. Marczenko - Böcker

Spectrophotometry enables one to determine, with good precision and sensitivity, almost all the elements present in small and trace quantities of any material. The method is particularly useful in the determination of non-metals and allows the determination elements in a large range of concentrations (from single % to low ppm levels) in various materials.

In Separation, Preconcentration and Spectrophotometry in Inorganic Analysis, much attention has been paid to separation and preconcentration methods, since they play an essential role in increasing the selectivity and sensitivity of spectrophotometric methods. Separation and preconcentration methods have also been utilised in other determination techniques.

Spectrophotometric methods which are widely used for the determination of the elements in a large variety of inorganic materials are presented in the book whilst separation and preconcentration procedures combined with spectrophotometry are also described.

This book contains recent advances in spectrophotometry, detailed discussion of the instrumentation, and the techniques and reagents used for spectrophotometric determination of elements in a wide range of materials as well as a detailed discussion of separation and preconcentration procedures that precede the spectrophotometric detection.

Analytical methods, that combine a chemical sample treatment step with a spectrometric technique, applied to the determination of metals and metalloids at trace and ultratrace levels are discussed in this book. A thorough critical survey of the literature for the period 1985-1994 gives references to source articles always readily available in peer reviewed journals.

The book comprises three parts. Part I discusses general aspects of successive steps of an analytical procedure from sampling and sample decomposition, through separation and preconcentration to spectrometric determination. Flow injection analysis, hyphenated techniques and speciation are included. Accuracy in trace analysis, sources of errors and the role of CRMs are also covered. Part II is devoted to practical aspects of sample handling and multielement trace analyses of environmental, geological, clinical, and industrial materials. Each chapter contains several tables summarizing procedures for multielement analysis of real samples and certified reference materials available for method validation. Part III contains 54 alphabetically arranged monographic reviews on spectrochemical trace analysis for individual elements. Each chapter gives basic information on analytico-chemical properties of the element which is followed by an overview of methods for its separation, preconcentration, and instrumental detection. Particular attention is given to practical issues, difficulties and quality assurance during the analysis of real samples. Each chapter contains tables summarizing the key steps of the procedures developed for the trace element determination and the detection characteristics reported.