James N. Beck

Atomic absorption spectroscopy is very useful for the determination of a large number of elements, especially at trace levels. It is a widely used technique for analysis of a wide variety of sample matrices including biota, soils, and water. Atomic absorption spectroscopy is a very reputable technique that is inexpensive and delivers accurate results even in a complex matrix. This review focuses on the applications of flame atomic absorption spectroscopy to environmental measurements, and is mainly based on papers published from 1999–2002.

This review is intended to present an introduction to the use of thermal neutron activation analysis (TNAA) as an analytical technique for the determination of elements in almost all kinds of matrices. This method of analysis is generally multi-element and experimental conditions can be designed to be nondestructive to the sample. This review will focus on thermal neutron activation as this technique allows determination of approximately two-thirds of the elements on the periodic chart. There are also more and wider spread facilities in the United States that offer these services. The available facilities are located across the United States and are generally accessible to everyone. The review will also detail the advantages and disadvantages of TNAA compared to other common spectroscopic methods. An outline of the general procedure for performing the analysis of the elements using activation analysis is presented to emphasize the ease of using this technique. The outline is divided into sections...