The 2004 Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry, thirteenth in a series of biennial meetings sponsored by the ICP Information Newsletter, features developments in plasma spectrochemical analysis by inductively coupled plasma (ICP), dc plasma (DCP), microwave plasma (MIP), glow discharge (GDL, HCL), and laser sources. The meeting will be held Monday, January 5 through Saturday, January 10, 2004, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida (www.sunny.org) at the Wyndham Bonaventure Resort and Spa (www.wyndham.com/bonaventure). Continuing education short courses at introductory and advanced levels and manufacturers' seminars will be offered Friday through Sunday, January 2-4. Spectroscopic instrumentation and accessories will be shown during a three-day exhibition from January 6 to 8, and a Workshop on New Plasma Instrumentation will be presented on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons. A golf tournament will be held on Sunday, January 4.

Speciation analysis is the topic for the first two days of the meeting. A special manufacturers seminar will be held on the speciation analysis of arsenic, mercury, and selenium by using atomic fluorescence spectroscopy, January 4. This seminar will introduce atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS) as an extremely sensitive technique for the speciation of Hg, As, and Se. Atomic fluorescence coupled to vapor and hydride generation has been used extensively over the last decade to provide extremely low detection limits and accurate measurements for a wide range of sample matrices. More recently AFS has been coupled to both GC and HPLC to offer an economic approach to elemental speciation. In Part 1 of the seminar, the theory, instrumental design and coupling of separation techniques will be discussed in detail. The presenters will focus on the importance of sample preparation and will give specific examples of selective extractions used for the speciation of As, Hg, and Se. Keynote invited speakers working in this field will share their experiences for a wide range of applications. Part 2 of the seminar is an optional practical session organized by Florida International University (FIU). Participants will get the opportunity to receive hands on experience with capillary GC-AFS for Hg speciation and HPLC-hydride generation-AFS for the speciation of arsenic and selenium. Lunch and transportation to/from FIU provided.

For further information please contact: usa@psanalytical.com pms@psanalytical.com