Types of interferences - Atomic absorption spectrophotometry:
Three types of interferences viz., chemical, spectral and physical interferences are encountered in AAS. These require to be suitably addressed to so as to put the technique to analytical use. A sample preparation is a crucial step in the AAS determination. Though in principle, the sample within solid, liquid or within the gas phase can be analysed through flame AAS but in practice the sample is taken in the solution form. The solution of the solids is generally prepared by wet dissolution method using a suitable acid. The presence of organic solvents of low molar mass e.g. alcohols, ethers, ketones and esters are found to enhance absorption peaks and hence increase sensitivity. A microwave digestion system (MDS) offers more rapid and efficient decomposition of complex matrices of geological and biological samples. It greatly reduces the operator time to prepare samples for analysis. More so, it could be simply automated also.