Spectrofotometric methods are not very sensitive nor specific. Atomic absorption or ICP are modern sensitive and specific methods. Search the internet for references.
Qasim Khan, it depends on the metal and the detection limit you're looking for. Once you know that you can decide if a spectrophotometric method works or if you need ICP-OES or ICP-MS.
ICP-OES should work fine for drinking water. However, for some toxic metals such as arsenic, mercury, and some other toxic metals with very low regulatory limits, you'll likely need ICP-MS or ICP-OES and GFAA.
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) is the preferred analytical technique for heavy metal estimation in water due to its effectiveness, sensitivity and its applicability.
AAS is recommended for micro to mg/L level concentrations in water and wastewater samples.
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) are the most commonly used devices to measure heavy metals in water -liquid- samples.
AAS is cheaper than ICP but can only measure the concentration of one element. While ICP is faster, more sensitive and can handle multiple elements.
Both in water or any other samples, selected heavy metal were analysed by using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. For water sample results are exppressed in mg/l.
Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is a type of mass spectrometry that uses an inductively coupled plasma to ionize the sample. It atomizes the sample and creates atomic and small polyatomic ions, which are then detected. It is known and used for its ability to detect metals and several non-metals in liquid samples at very low concentrations. It can detect different isotopes of the same element, which makes it a versatile tool in isotopic labeling.
Compared to atomic absorption spectroscopy, ICP-MS has greater speed, precision, and sensitivity. However, compared with other types of mass spectrometry, such as thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) and glow discharge mass spectrometry (GD-MS), ICP-MS introduces many interfering species: argon from the plasma, component gases of air that leak through the cone orifices, and contamination from glassware and the cones.
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) is the recommended analytical technique for heavy metal estimation in water
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