290 Chemometrics and Intelligent Laboratory Systems I

Chemometrics and Intelligent Loboratory Systems, 8 (1990) 290 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., Amsterdam

Implementation of a General Analytical Methodology in Inductively Coupled Plasma

Atomic Emission Spectrometry Using Automated Sample Preparation

M. STEWART and G. HORLICK *

Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G2 (Canada)

ABSTRACT

A robotic-based solution sample preparation station has been developed for inductively coupled plasma atomic

emission spectrometry. It is an integrated system of RS-232 modules controlled by an IBM PC/AT. The modules

consist of a robot (Mitsubishi RM-501) an electronic laboratory balance, a microprocessor-controlled syringe solution

dispenser/diluter and an inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer. Taken as a group, these modules

allow the automatic preparation of solution samples for trace element analysis along with feedback of results for

optimal solution preparation and analysis. However, such a system has significance beyond simple automatic sample

preparation as it allows the development, implementation and comparison of different analytical methodologies. Some

methodologies that are compared include normal calibration curves, automated standard additions, an automated

successive approximation method and automated matrix effect recognition and compensation.