HR-CS AAS/ MAS as a tool for determination of metallic and non-metallic hazardous contaminants in the environment

This review focuses on the determination of hazardous environmental contaminants, including toxic metals such as mercury, lead, arsenic, and cadmium; metal nanoparticles; and non-metallic pollutants like phosphorus, nitrogen or per - and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) using high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry (HR-CS AAS). These contaminants pose serious risks to both environmental and human health, with their detection and monitoring remaining a significant analytical challenge. The persistence of metal contamination in developing countries and mining-impacted regions, underscore the urgent need for effective monitoring strategies. HR-CS AAS has emerged as a versatile analytical approach for environmental analysis, providing applicable detection limits and advanced background correction capabilities. Established optimization strategies in HR-CS AAS, including appropriate temperature programs, chemical modifiers, and pixel-resolved signal evaluation, enable reliable quantification of trace contaminants across complex environmental matrices including water, soil, sediments, crops, and biological tissues. • Key features and advantages of HR-CS AAS have been summarized in this review. • HR-CS AAS for Pb, Cd, Hg, As, nanoparticles, and nonmetals in the environment is covered. • Various chemical and nanoparticle modifiers used in HR-CS AAS are briefly discussed.