Sequential testing as an efficient screening method for interferences in routine analysis as applied to atomic-absorption spectrometry with flame and graphite furnace atomization.

Reliable standardization is a serious problem for most analytical methods. In spite of extensive work on interferences, the results are not suited for prediction of gross errors in any particular case. This paper is intended to show the power of sequential testing in practical atomic-absorption spectrometric analyses for the efficient detection of interferences causing changes in sensitivity; this test is carried out by comparing the sensitivity of the standard with the sensitivity for the sample, as determined by the difference between the signals for the spiked and unspiked samples. The simple computations can be carried out instantly and experimentation is terminated as soon as a conclusion can be drawn. The major advantage over the traditional tests lies in the smaller number of independent measurements, requiring less time and sample. Three separate cases are discussed: with the mean sensitivity of the standard known and the deviation expected to occur in one direction only (single-sided alternative hypothesis); with the standard deviation of the determination known and the deviation possibly occurring in both directions (double-sided alternative hypothesis); and with the mean and the standard deviation unknown but estimated during the test (sequential t-test). It is shown that assumptions about the normal distribution of the data do not impose serious restrictions in practical AAS work.