Laboratory Excellence and AccreditationAtomic Absorption Spectroscopy
Atomic absorption remains the workhorse for trace metal determination in many laboratories, and most of its problems are interferences that a careless operator will never notice. This course covers running it reliably. Delegates work through the principle, instrument components and the difference between flame and graphite furnace atomisation, and calibration including standard addition where the matrix demands it. Interferences are the core: spectral, chemical, ionisation and physical, with the correction techniques for each. Sample preparation and digestion receive detailed treatment, alongside quality control, detection limits and the troubleshooting of drift and poor sensitivity.
Course objectives
- Explain the principle and the instrument's components
- Choose between flame and graphite furnace atomisation
- Calibrate correctly and apply standard addition where required
- Identify and correct spectral, chemical, ionisation and physical interferences
- Prepare and digest samples appropriately for the matrix
- Establish detection limits and run effective quality control
- Troubleshoot drift, poor sensitivity and precision problems
Who should attend
- Laboratory analysts and technicians
- Analytical chemists in quality control
- Environmental and water laboratory staff
- Mining and metallurgical laboratory personnel
- Method development scientists
Course outline
- 01Principle and instrument components
- 02Flame atomisation
- 03Graphite furnace atomisation
- 04Calibration and standard addition
- 05Spectral and chemical interferences
- 06Ionisation and physical interferences
- 07Sample preparation and digestion
- 08Detection limits, quality control and troubleshooting
Scheduled sessions
| Dates | Venue | Format | Price | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 to 16 October 2026 | Nairobi, Kenya | Classroom | USD 995 per delegate | Register Now |
| 3 to 5 February 2027 | Lusaka, Zambia | Classroom | USD 995 per delegate | Register Now |
| 8 to 10 March 2027 | Johannesburg, South Africa | Classroom | R14,950 per delegate | Register Now |
| 15 to 17 March 2027 | Online | Online | R6,500 per delegate | Register Now |