Molecular and atomic ultra trace analysis by laser induced fluorescence with OPO system and ICCD camera

This paper presents a synthesis of some analytical potentialities of an equipment designed for both laser induced molecular and atomic fluorescence in the field of ultra-trace analysis (ng l−1). Excitation of fluorescence was performed with a pulsed Nd:Yag laser coupled to an optical parametric oscillator (OPO). Fluorescence spectra were recorded with a spectrograph and an intensified charge-coupled device (ICCD). The high energy and the tunability of the excitation combined with the sensitivity of the ICCD and the time-resolution provide better limit of detection (LOD) and selectivity. By molecular fluorescence, some major organic contaminants in the environment were studied, i.e. polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (benzo[a]pyrene and hydroxypyrene) and a pesticide (carbaryl). The LODs achieved by direct analysis were far below the restricted European values for tap water. Analysis was performed in water containing humic acids using time resolution to avoid the matrix fluorescence. By electro thermal atomisation-laser excited atomic fluorescence (ETA-LEAF), we detected traces of aluminium and lead in seawater. Some general considerations about the signal to noise ratio optimisation are reported. LODs reached the femtogram level.