SPECIATION IN ATOMIC SPECTROMETRY - AN OXYMORON

Because atomic spectrometry inherently involves the decomposition of a sample into its constituent atoms, it inevitably destroys speciation information. Only by combining an atomic spectrometric method within a uxiliary, species-specific technique, or by modifying the 'atomic' spe ctrometer substantially, can speciation by ascertained. In this brief paper, three alternative approaches to speciation are outlined. Among them, the use of a switched or modulated source seems particularly app ealing.