Question

How is contribution from atomic emission distinguished from the singal for atomic absorption in atmoic absorption spectroscopy?

Answer 1

The main difference when  the analyte (solution contain) is introduced flame or plasma as a fine mist in the solvent which quickly evaporates, leaving solid particles of the analyte that vaporize and decompose to atoms that may absorb radiation in case of atomic absorption or become excited and subsequently emit radiation in case of atomic emission. Also small number of atomic absorption lines as compared to atomic emission lines thus, their narrow width (a few pm) make spectral overlap rare.