Compare capabilities of commonly used AA techniques with respect to detection limits, chemical and spectral interferences, analysis time, sample size, cost of instrumentation and consummables, hazards, analyst expertise, linear working range (including methods to adjust), and sample preparation requirements and limitations.

Shown below is a table comparing these capabilities. The items are neither definitive nor all-inclusive, but give a general idea of the concepts that should be understood by a technician working with the instrumentation.

Property	Flame	Furnace	Gas generation
Detection limit	Varies from about 0.001 ppm for volatile elements such as Zn to 1 ppm or higher for elements that are difficult to atomize in flames	Typically 1 to 2 orders of magnitude lower than flame detection limits	For elements such as As and Se, detection limits are similar or somewhat better than furnace methods, since sample volumes can be increased. Only adequate method for Hg.
Interferences (chemical)	Significant for compound forming elements such as Ca in air-acetylene flame. Ionization a problem in higher temperature nitrous oxide - acetylene flame.	More significant than in flames, but can be reduced by judicious choice of temperature program, ashing gases, and matrix modifiers. Scatter and molecular absorption interferences are common and background correction is required.	Interferences can occur due to differences in oxidation state of analyte, since method depends on reduction of analyte to a specific state. Other easily reduced elements in high concentrations can interfere by consuming reducing agents.
Interferences (spectral)	Few	Can be significant, particularly when using Zeeman methods in the presence of very high concentrations of elements with rich spectra.	Few
Analysis time	Several samples per minute	One sample per 3 minutes	One sample per 3 minutes
Sample size	at least 1 mL	5 to 50 uL	10 uL to 20 mL or more
Cost of instrument	$10K to $30K	$20K to $60K	$20K
Cost of consummables	primarily combustible gas and air - typically $100/month, but depends on usage. Need a HCL for every element, but lamps can last for decades.	inert gas (preferably Ar) and graphite tubes and end cones - can be several hundred dollars per month	primarily inert gas, such as nitrogen and argon. Less than $100/month
Haxards	Burns from handling of hot burner components. Explosions (burner chamber flashback), particularly with nitrous oxide flame but also can occur with air-aceylene flame when organic solvents are used.	No gas hazards. High magnetic field when Zeeman background correction is used.	Generated metal hydride and mercury vapor gases are hazardous unless properly vented.
Linear working range	From 2 to 3 orders of magnitude. Can be extended by choosing other source lines or changing the absorption pathlength by turning the burner head.	From 1 to 2 orders of magnitude. Can be extended by choosing other source lines or varying sample size.	From 2 to 3 orders of magnitude. Can be extended by choosing other source lines or varying sample size.
Expertise	Average	Significant	Average
Sample preparation	Must completely dissolve sample for introduction through a pneumatic nebulizer. All acids are adequate, although nitric and hydrochloric are preferred	Sample need not be dissolved if slurry or solid sampling methods are used. For dissolved samples, perchloric acid, hydrofluoric and hydrochloric acid are to be avoided in sample placed in furnace.	Closed microwave digestion methods are preferred since elements determined by gas generation are often volatile. Acid composition in sample for analysis should allow easy reduction by added reducing agent (typically sodium borohydride) ... thus hydrochloric acid is preferred.