FEBRUARY 1983 Analyst Vol. 108 No. 1283 First Biennial National Symposium Atomic Spectroscopy Sheffield, UK, July 13-1 5, 1982 In July 1982, the above symposium was organised jointly by the Atomic Spectroscopy Group of the Analytical Division of the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Spectroscopy Group of the Institute of Physics. Judged by the number of delegates attending the meeting and the quality of the scientific presentations, the symposium represented a very successful new ven- ture, which will undoubtedly become a regular feature in the Society’s programmes. The aim of the symposium was to promote developments in fundamental and applied atomic spectroscopy in the UK, by providing an opportunity for academic and industrial workers to take part in both formal and informal exchanges of ideas.The scientific programme con- sisted of five Plenary Lectures, a number of specially invited lectures and sessions of contri- buted and poster papers. A special feature of the symposium was the Round Table Discus- sions conducted in an informal and relaxed atmosphere as a result of refreshments provided by Perkin-Elmer Ltd. in celebration of 25 years of their UK operation. These discussions yielded some interesting and important conclusions and they are reviewed in the current (February 1983) issue of AnaZyticaZ Proceedings. The Plenary Lectures were given by V. A. Fassel on “Inductively Coupled Plasmas : Their Future as Atomisation, Excitation and Ionisation Cells for Atomic Emission, Fluorescence and Mass Spectroscopy” ; J. M. Ottaway on “The Revolu- tion in Electrothermal Atomisation” ; R.Jenkins, on “Current Trends in Instrumentation and Techniques for XRF Analysis” ; T. C. Rains on “AAS : a Challenge in the Analysis of Environ- mental and Biological Materials” ; and G. F. Kirkbright on “Some Perspectives in Analytical Spectroscopy.” Invited papers were presented by L. de Galan, A. M. Ure, P. H. Scholes, G. S. Fell, B. Welz, B. J. Price, K. C. Thompson and K. Ohls. In the sense that most of these special lectures provided a review of a particular technique or field of application of atomic spectroscopy, it was the contributed and poster papers that presented a more informed view of current research and developments in analytical atomic spectroscopy in the UK and to some extent elsewhere.In collaboration with the organisers of the Symposium, the Analytical Editorial Board invited authors of original papers presented at the conference to publish their work in The Analyst. The result is this Special Issue of the Journal, which will provide a permanent record of some of the new material presented at the meeting. The publication of such a Special Issue is a new venture for The Analyst, but one which we believe will be of interest and benefit to both subscribers and authors. Individual copies of this issue are also available for personal purchase from the Royal Society of Chemistry Distribution Centre, Rlackhorse Road, Letchworth, Herts., SG6 1HN. The Atomic Spectroscopy Symposium was held at the Collegiate Crescent Site of Sheffield City Polytechnic, which provided an attractive and convenient location for the meeting. Both the national organising committee led by Dr. L. Ebdon and the local and scientific committees worked hard to ensure that the symposium was both scientifically worthwhile and informative, and that it was held in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. All participants will be looking forward t o the Second Biennial National Atomic Spectroscopy Symposium, which is to be held in Leeds in 1984. J. M. OTTAWAY 137