Determination of Arsenic in Drinking Water by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. An Undergraduate Instrumental Analysis Laboratory

TCE

The Chemical Educator

ISSN: 1430-4171 (electronic version)

Table of Contents

Abstract Volume 5 Issue 6 (2000) pp 321-323

Determination of Arsenic in Drinking Water by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. An Undergraduate Instrumental Analysis Laboratory

Anthony S. Stender, Lindsay A. Giem, Matt C. Bunte, Carrie L. Burns, Lindsay D. Odom, Diane S. Fitzpatrick, Christopher J. Biorn, and Eugene T. Smith*

Department of Chemistry, Hamline University, St. Paul, MN 55104-1284

Published online: 14 November 2000

Abstract. A laboratory exercise, the analysis of arsenic in drinking water by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAA), is presented for use in an undergraduate instrumental methods course. The purpose of this GFAA exercise is to expose students to a practical and commonly used application, to provide students with hands-on experience with the instrument, and to reinforce concepts taught in the classroom. Students safely analyze a real-world sample containing an analyte in the parts-per-billion concentration range.

Key Words: Laboratories and Demonstrations; instrumental analysis

(*) Corresponding author. (E-mail: gsmith@gw.hamline.edu)

Article in PDF format (163 KB) HTML format