Biological Samples:

As you have learnt above, a wide range of the samples of biological origin are subjected to analytical procedures for the determination of the elements present in them. Let us take up the determination of sodium in serum as a representative example of the application of AES in biological samples.

Determination of sodium in serum

Determination of sodium in water or serum is carried out through following the features emission at 589 nm.  A calibration plot is prepared among emission intensity and concentration of the standard solutions. The concentration of the sample solution is then determined from the calibration plot.  In some of the determinations a known amount of an internal standard like lithium is added to the standard solutions as well as the sample solution. A calibration curve is drawn among the emission intensity ratios of the features emissions of sodium to lithium versus the concentration of the standard solutions of sodium.