Merits and Limitations:

The atomic fluorescence spectrometric method such as all other spectrometric methods of analysis has related merits and limitations. These are briefly outlined here. These prove to be useful within the process of selecting a appropriate method for the determination of an analyte.

Merits

• The major advantage of fluorescence detection compared to absorption measurements is the greater sensitivity achievable since the fluorescence signal has a much lower background as compared to the one observed in atomic absorption method. In addition, the interferences are also less. It exhibits its greatest sensitivity for elements having higher excitation energies.
• AFS offers distinct benefits for a few metals and metalloids such as Pb, Cd, Tl, Hg, As, Sb, Se, Te, etc.
• The detection limits are same to those for AAS and AES but vary for various elements. Better sensitivities and much lower detection limits are acquired for favourable elements such as Hg, As, Sb, Se etc.
• Linear calibration curves frequent extend over a huge range. These might be valid over as high as 4 to 7 orders of magnitude.
• The samples available in solid, liquid and gaseous state could be analysed, although most samples are converted to liquids before analysis.
• While combined with separation techniques such as chromatography, the method could provide information about the chemical form of the analyte that is speciation studies could be carried out in environmental samples.