Analytical Methods for Estimation of Metals

Modern analytical methods today have been proven to be very useful for accurate determination of metals. It is required to determine optimum concentration of some essential metals as deficiency or excess may cause abnormalities in body. Also there is strict legal requirement to monitor and control levels of metals in food, environment and medicines. Estimation of concentration of metals in body tissues is also essential. Various methods described are atomic spectroscopy, voltammetry, X-ray fluorescence and ICP-MS along with principle and instrument. These methods are very sensitive and very low detection limits of upto pictogram levels have been achieved. High toxicity of metals to living organisms depends on their species. In some cases the elemental state of these heavy metals is critical however in other cases their various organometallic species are more hazardous. Hence speciation analysis of metals is necessary which are done using voltammetric methods and by ICP-MS.