Atomic spectrometry update. Advances in atomic emission, absorption, and fluorescence spectrometry, and related techniques

This review covers a relatively mature area of atomic spectrometry, hence, there are fewer new developments than in newer research fields. It should be read in conjunction with the previous year's review1 and with other related reviews in the series.2–6 A great deal of literature on sample introduction methods has been generated, mainly describing preconcentration or vapour generation, but with very little that is new. The main development in instrumentation is the advent of microplasmas for lab-on-a-chip applications. Laser based methods continue in popularity, as do coupled chromatography and atomic spectrometry techniques for speciation studies, though even here the bulk of papers describe applications, albeit novel and challenging ones.