R RC CM M: Book Review

RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY, VOL.
11, 1482 (1997)
quence of contamination, and separa- The components of a mass spectrome-

tion and preconcentration methods; the ter are well described before the bulk
RCM latter discusses standardization and cali- of the text is devoted to the quadru-
bration (including analytical errors and pole ICP-MS and its applications,
the concept of interferences) the defini- including its use in isotope dilution
Book Review tion of detection limit and quality con- mass spectrometry. Alternative meth-
trol, emphasizing the use of reference ods of sample introduction, such as
materials. laser ablation, are also covered. The
Chapter 4 on spectrochemical meas- authors note the emergence of the still
urements (17 pages), which outlines the very costly high-resolution ICP-MS,
fundamental principles and basic instru- where ICP is coupled with a high
Modern Methods for Trace Element mental features underlying atomic spec- resolution double-focusing magnetic
troscopy, serves as a useful prelude to sector mass spectrometer, and devote
Determination
Chapter 5 on atomic absorption spec- the rest of the chapter to glow dis-
C. VANDECASTEELE AND C. B. trometry (46 pages), Chapter 6 on charge mass spectrometry. The inclu-
BLOCK atomic emission spectrometry (21 sion of this prominent chapter certainly
Wiley, Chichester, 1997 pages) and Chapter 7 on atomic fluores- enhances the book’s usefulness in
ISBN 0 471 974455 Price £24.95, cence spectrometry (9 pages). All are teaching modern analytical techniques
$45.00 (Paper) very sound and thorough, especially on to students.
instrumentation. The nature of the text Chapter 10 on X-ray methods (38
is perhaps exemplified by the seven pages), including conventional X-ray
I liked this book when it first came out pages devoted to background correc- fluorescence spectrometry and particle-
in hardback in 1993. After three reprint- tion in AAS (D2, Zeeman, Smith– induced X-ray emission analysis, and
ings and the launch of this paperback Hieftje), but only two other interfer- Chapter 11 on activation analysis (20
edition in January 1997, it is clear that it ences. Rightly, in AES, there is a pages) extend the book’s comprehen-
has enjoyed widespread approval in the concentration on plasma sources, siveness, notwithstanding the latter
analytical community. What is the secret reflecting the authors’ stated intention technique’s notable disadvantage in
of its success? to devote more attention to newer and requiring a nuclear reactor!
First, it is well written and well more sensitive methods. The paradox There are some weaknesses. Apart
organized. The authors have a clear idea that, for some elements, AFS offers the from the aforementioned exclusion of
of where they are going, attempting to advantage of a long, linear dynamic electrochemistry, there is little on spec-
cover the principles of each technique range typical of ICP-AES and the high iation, highlighted by the brevity of the
chosen, its performance characteristics, selectivity of AAS, but is little used, is final Chapter 12 on metal speciation,
and some applications to real samples. briefly touched upon. However the which, at only 5 pages, focuses on
It is good on ‘how things work’, but less authors, in Chapter 8 on comparison of hyphenated techniques, largely a combi-
so, in my opinion, on applications, and atomic spectrometric analytical tech- nation of chromatographic separation
potential purchasers should note that it niques (6 pages), conclude that ‘the with an element-selective technique.
is not a compendium of methods on an most widely used techniques are flame The references peter out in the early
element-by-element basis. Instead, the AAS, graphite furnace AAS, ICP-AES 1990’s, suggesting that an update would
book is devoted to a range of analytical and ICP-MS’. Nobody would argue with be worthwhile, and the sectional num-
techniques, electrochemical analysis that, although some may find it surpris- bering system within each chapter could
being one of the few to be excluded. ing that the last technique appears in a be improved by prefacing with the
There are twelve chapters of varying comparison placed immediately prior to specific chapter number. From a teach-
length. The introductory Chapter 1 (8 its own major chapter. ing point of view, the lack of set
pages) succinctly explains the need for At 87 pages, Chapter 9 on mass problems is a disadvantage, but the
trace element analysis in environ- spectrometry is the longest in the book breadth of coverage, in particular the
mental, biological and industrial and is, I feel, one of its main strengths. inclusion of a hefty section on mass
research and applications. Chapters 2 Some 60 pages are devoted to ICP-MS, spectrometry, makes this text a useful
and 3 on sample preparation (45 pages) reflecting the importance of this tech- addition to the bookshelves of students
and methodology in trace element nique in the modern, well-equipped as well as those of specialist analytical
determination (21 pages) should be analytical laboratory. When the text chemists.
essential reading before anyone is was written, in 1992, over 500 ICP-MS
allowed into an analytical laboratory. instruments were in use throughout the JOHN G. FARMER
The former covers sample decomposi- world, a number which must surely Department of Chemistry
tion, errors introduced as a conse- have increased several-fold by now. The University of Edinburgh
CCC 0951–4198/97/131482–01 $17.50 © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY, VOL.

11, 1482 (1997)

quence of contamination, and separa- The components of a mass spectrome-

CCC 0951–4198/97/131482–01 $17.50 © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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