TM98-11 Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (GFAAS) to replace Hydride Generation Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (HGAAS)

The National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL) has been determining arsenic (dissolved I-2062- 85, whole-water-recoverable (WWR) I-4062-85, bottom materials I-6062-85) and selenium (dissolved I-2667-85, WWR I-4667-85, bottom materials I-6667-85) using the hydride generation atomic absorption (HGAAS) spectrophotometric methods since the mid 1970's. A widely used alternate technique, graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry (GFAAS), is now available for the simultaneous determination of arsenic and selenium. The GFAAS methods are more efficient and reliable than the HGAAS methods, and chemical waste is minimized.