Page xiiSignificant changes and additions to the text have again been made. The sections on solid phase
extraction (SPE) and near infrared (NIR) spectrometry have been expanded to reflect their growing use
in sample preparation and process control respectively. Capillary electrochromatography (CEC), a
hybrid of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and capillary electrophoresis (CE), which
is poised to become a major force in separation science once the technology has been refined and made
more reliable, has been included in chapter 4. Changes in chapter 8 (Atomic Spectrometry) highlight the
growing importance of the two-dimensional presentation of data, especially of Echelle optics in plasma
emission spectrometry. Other new information in this chapter covers recent developments in
counteracting polyatomic interferences in inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and the
reawakening of interest in atomic fluorescence as a basis for the determination of mercury and elements
with volatile hydrides. The coverage of some aspects of general chromatography, gas chromatography,
mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry has been revised and some new
material added (chapters 4 and 9). The assessment of analytical data (chapter 2) now includes an
introduction to linear regression.
Analytical chemistry in the new millennium will continue to develop greater degrees of sophistication.
The use of automation, especially involving robots, for routine work will increase and the role of ever
more powerful computers and software, such as 'intelligent' expert systems, will be a dominant factor.
Extreme miniaturisation of techniques (the 'analytical laboratory on a chip') and sensors designed for
specific tasks will make a big impact. Despite such advances, the importance of, and the need for,
trained analytical chemists is set to continue into the foreseeable future and it is vital that universities
and colleges play a full part in the provision of relevant courses of study.
F.W. FIFIELD
D. KEALEY