Determination of trace alkaline metals in quartz by flame atomic emission and atomic absorption spectrometry

Flame Atomic Emission Spectrometry (FAES) and Electrothermal Atomizer Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (ETA-AAS) were assessed for the determination of K and Na in quantities of less than 10 μg g−1 in quartz. The advantages of the direct AAS technique (samples were atomized directly in solid form) are described as less time-consuming and do not require extensive sample preparation. The FAES technique was applied as the control method using water standard solutions for calibration. The results obtained by the two methods agree well in the concentration ranges from 0.5 to 20 μg ml−1.