Atomic Absorption Spectrometry In Geology

ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROMETRY IN GEOLOGY SERIES Methods in Geochemistry and Geophysics 1 A. S. RITCHIE CHROMATOGRAPHY IN GEOLOGY 2 R. BOWEN PALEOTEMPERATURE ANALYSIS 3 D. S. PARASNIS MINING GEOPHYSICS 4 I. ADLER X-RAY EMISSION SPECTROGRAPHY IN GEOLOGY 5 W. D. EVANS AND L. BREALEY ANALYTICAL GEOCHEMISTRY 6 A. Y. EASTON SILICATE ANALYSIS BY WET CHEMICAL METHODS 8 A. VOLBORTH ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS IN GEOCHEMISTRY, A. MAJOR ELEMENTS Methods in Geochemistry and Geophysics 7 ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROMETRY IN GEOLOGY BY ERNEST E. ANGINO Research Associate and Chief, Geochemistry Section, State Geological Survey of Kansas, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, U.S.A. AND GALE K. BILLINGS Assistant Professor of Geochemistry, Department of Geology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, La., U.S.A. i ELSEVIER PUBLISHING COMPANY AMSTERDAM/LONDON/NEW YORK 1967 ELSEVIER PUBLISHING COMPANY 3 3 5 JAN VAN GALENSTRAAT, P . O . BOX 2 1 1 , AMSTERDAM AMERICAN ELSEVIER PUBLISHING COMPANY, I N C . 5 2 VANDERBILT AVENUE, N E W YORK, N . Y . 1 0 0 1 7 ELSEVIER PUBLISHING COMPANY LIMITED RIPPLESIDE COMMERCIAL ESTATE B A R K I N G , ESSEX LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOG CARD NUMBER 6 7 - 2 5 7 4 8 W I T H 1 4 ILLUSTRATIONS AND 3 7 TABLES ALL RIGHTS RESERVED THIS BOOK OR ANY P A R T THEREOF MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN ANY FORM, I N C L U D I N G PHOTOSTATIC OR MICROFILM FORM, W I T H O U T WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THE PUBLISHERS PRINTED IN THE NETHERLANDS Preface This book, as any other, is not solely the result of the authors' endeavors. It has profited greatly by the generosity and experience of other scientists in the field of atomic absorption. For their support and encouragement, we would like to thank the scientists of the Perkin-Elmer Corporation and of the Jarrell-Ash Company, and our publishers. For many valuable discussions concerning applications, we sincerely thank Dr. Paul C. Ragland, University of North Carolina; Dr. R. C. Harriss, McMaster University; Mr. Walter Slavin, Perkin-Elmer Corporation; Mr. J. C. Nicola, Tulsa Research Center, Sinclair Oil and Gas Company; and Mr. O. K. Galle, State Geological Survey of Kansas. We wish also to thank here all those organizations which so kindly allowed us to use copyrighted material when it was needed. The work of the senior author has been encouraged throughout the preparation of this book by both the Director and Associate Director of the State Geological Survey of Kansas. Without their support and that of the Geological Survey and the University of Kansas this book would not have been completed. The junior author's experience has been supported by, and is therefore a result of, Rice University, Sinclair Oil and Gas Company, The University of Calgary, and the National Research Council of Canada. Mrs. Diana Coleman typed the many drafts of the manuscript and for her patience special thanks are due. It is a pleasure for us to acknowledge this support. The critical review of the manuscript by Dr. Paul C. Ragland was most beneficial. The errors remaining, however, are ours. For their support, patience, and encouragement we owe much to our wives and families. The preparation of this book has been both VI PREFACE enjoyable and scientifically rewarding. It is our sincere hope that the reader will accrue both of these benefits. ERNEST E. ANGINO GALE K. BILLINGS December, 1966 Contents PREFACE V Part I. Theory and Instrumentation 1 CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION 3 CHAPTER 2. THEORY 6 Relationship of atomic absorption to atomic concentration Variations in shapes and widths of atomic spectral lines . Natural width Dopp