Tittle

Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy

1.0 Introduction
Atomic spectroscopy (absorption and emission) is used to perform trace
elemental analysis which is important for a variety of reasons. For example,
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set maximum allowable limits
for certain heavy metals in drinking water such as lead and arsenic. The EPA
criteria often reflect the detection limits of analytical methods as the exact
concentrations of toxic metals safe for human consumption is unknown.
Other important analyses include metal impurities in pharmaceutical and
industrial products, metal characterization of proteins in biochemistry, and
mineral content of foods. Atomic spectroscopy has high sensitivity, often
exhibiting detection limits at the parts per trillion level (ppt), and high
selectivity due to the presence of extremely narrow spectral lines. The
technique is capable of analyzing for multiple elements simultaneously and
can easily be automated. Furnace, or plasma (a gas hot enough to contain
ions and free electrons). Concentrations of atoms are measured by
absorption or emission of specific wavelengths of radiation. Atoms exhibit
line absorption and emission spectra because electronic transitions are
quantized and atoms lack the many rotational and vibration states of
molecules

2.0 Objective
To determine the concentration of calcium in a tap water using a standard
calibration curve and standard addition method

3.0 Materials and instrument

Standard Ca 2+ solution, 100 ppm

Unknown solution tap water

Perkin Elmer Analyst 400 Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometer

4.0 Procedures
1. A series of standard solution of the following concentration from the
standard stock solution of 100 ppm : 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 ppm were
prepared
2. 5 mL of the unknown solution was transferred into six 100 mL
volumetric flask
3. A blank was run first before the measurement of solution were made
4. The absorbance of the series standard solution was being measured
5. The absorbance of tap water was measured
6. The absorbance of the series of solution for the standard solution
method was being measured
7. The concentration of the sample and tap water were being determined
by using the two methods and being compared with the values
obtained
5.0 Result and Calculation
Sample volume Ca2+ added into the 100 mL volumetric flask (standard
calibration curve):
C1V1 = C2V2
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.

100 ppm V1 = 2 ppm 100 mL

= 2 mL
100 ppm V1 = 4 ppm 100 mL
= 4 mL
100 ppm V1 = 6 ppm 100 mL
= 6 mL
100 ppm V1 = 8 ppm 100 mL
= 8 mL
100 ppm V1 = 10 ppm 100 mL
= 10 mL

Sample concentration Ca2+ added into the 100 mL volumetric flask (standard
addition method):
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.

C1V1 = C2V2
100 ppm 5 mL = C2 100 mL
= 5 ppm
100 ppm 6 mL = C2 100 mL
= 6 ppm
100 ppm 7 mL = C2 100 mL
= 7 ppm
100 ppm 8 mL = C2 100 mL
= 8 ppm
100 ppm 9 mL = C2 100 mL
= 9 ppm
100 ppm 10 mL = C2 100 mL
= 10 ppm

Sample

Readings
First
Second
Blank
0.197
0.198
Ca 1
0.036
0.035
Ca 2
0.061
0.062
Ca 3
0.090
0.091
Ca 4
0.115
0.116
Ca 5
0.139
0.139
Unknown
0.084
0.085
Ratio 1:1
0.065
0.067
Tap water
0.109
0.109
Table 5.1: Data collected for the absorption of
Curve

Third
0.198
0.035
0.062
0.090
0.115
0.139
0.084
0.066
0.109
Ca2+ in

Absorbance
Mean
0.197
0.036
0.061
0.090
0.115
0.139
0.084
0.066
0.109
Standard Calibration