The general principle of determining metals by flame atomic absorption spectrometry is explained; interferences are discussed in terms of chemical interference and background correction.

Also discussed are:

• sensitivity, detection limits, and optimum concentration ranges;
• preparation of standards;
• apparatus to be used; and
• quality assurance and quality control issues.

A table gives atomic absorption concentration ranges with direct aspiration atomic absorption. A second table gives interlaboratory precision and bias data, while a third table lists single-operator precision and recommended control ranges for the methods involving direct aspiration and extracted metals.

• Method 3111B gives the direct air-acetylene flame method. This method is applicable to the determination of antimony, bismuth, cadmium, calcium, cesium, chromium, cobalt, copper, gold, iridium, iron, lead, lithium, magnesium, manganese, nickel, palladium, platinum, potassium, rhodium, ruthenium, silver, sodium, strontium, thallium, tin, and zinc.
• Method 3111C provides the extraction/air-acetylene flame method, which is suitable for the determination of low concentrations of cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, manganese, nickel, silver, and zinc.
• Method 3111D is the direct nitrous oxide-acetylene flame method, which is applicable to the determination of aluminum, barium, beryllium, calcium, molybdenum, osmium, rhenium, silicon, thorium, titanium, and vanadium.
• Method 3111E gives the extraction/nitrous oxide-acetylene flame method, which is suitable for the determination of aluminum at concentrations less than 900 µg/L and beryllium at concentrations of less than 30 µg/L.