SI-traceable values for cadmium concentration in the water samples of IMEP-6

 The certification measurement for the cadmium concentration in the samples as performed by Isotope Dilution (ID) using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) is described in framework of the International Measurement Evaluation Programme (IMEP). By using a primary method of measurement (ID), making up a full uncertainty budget and using a sensitive technique (ICP-MS), reference values traceable to SI can be obtained for this material. The uncertainty budget is performed in accordance with the ISO and EURACHEM guides on uncertainty. A comparison is made with certification results of other experienced laboratories also using primary methods where possible. Received: 8 July 1996/Revised 26 August 1996/Accepted: 1 September 1996     

SI-traceable values for cadmium concentration in the water samples of IMEP-6

 The certification measurement for the cadmium concentration in the samples as performed by Isotope Dilution (ID) using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) is described in framework of the International Measurement Evaluation Programme (IMEP). By using a primary method of measurement (ID), making up a full uncertainty budget and using a sensitive technique (ICP-MS), reference values traceable to SI can be obtained for this material. The uncertainty budget is performed in accordance with the ISO and EURACHEM guides on uncertainty. A comparison is made with certification results of other experienced laboratories also using primary methods where possible. Received: 8 July 1996/Revised 26 August 1996/Accepted: 1 September 1996     

Determination of Copper,Cadmium, Zinc And Lead In ArgeŞ River In Romania During Four Seasons By Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry And Anodic Stripping Voltammetry

ABSTRACT

The paper represents a continued study of selected heavy metals concentration in the Arge? River, the fifth river in length from Romania.

For the determination of metal ion concentration in Arge? river was used Atomic Absorption Spectrometry for sodium, potassium and magnesium; Direct Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry for calcium; Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry for copper, cadmium, zinc, aluminium, lead, titanium, zirconium, chromium, molybdenum, manganese, iron and nickel.

Copper, cadmium, zinc and lead concentration were determined by ICP–AES and ASV and results were reliable.

By comparison of the results a good agreement between these two techniques is observed.     

Evaluation of the use of consensus values in proficiency testing programmes

Proficiency testing (PT) is an essential tool used by laboratory accreditation bodies to assess the competency of laboratories. Because of limited resources of PT providers or for other reasons, the assigned reference value used in the calculation of z-score values has usually been derived from some sort of consensus value obtained by central tendency estimators such as the arithmetic mean or robust mean. However, if the assigned reference value deviates significantly from the ‘true value’ of the analyte in the test material, laboratories’ performance will be evaluated incorrectly. This paper evaluates the use of consensus values in proficiency testing programmes using the Monte Carlo simulation technique. The results indicated that the deviation of the assigned value from the true value could be as large as 40%, depending on the parameters of the proficiency testing programmes under investigation such as sample homogeneity, number of participant laboratories, concentration level, method precision and laboratory bias. To study how these parameters affect the degree of discrepancy between the consensus value and the true value, a fractional factorial design was also applied. The findings indicate that the number of participating laboratories and the distribution of laboratory bias were the prime two factors affecting the deviation of the consensus value from the true value.     

Evaluation of a proficiency test on cadmium and lead in herbal material using assigned reference values

This paper presents an international proficiency testing program (APLAC T065) on two trace elements, cadmium and lead, in an herbal sample, Herba Desmodii Styracifolii. The program was registered with a total of 109 laboratories from 42 countries. The assigned reference values of the analytes for performance assessment were provided by the organizers using an accurate gravimetric isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry technique. z-Score was used as the numerical indicator to interpret participants' competence. The between-laboratory variations for cadmium and lead were respectively 18.7% and 19.8% and the consensus values were found to be consistent with the assigned reference values. Twenty-two participants gave at least one unsatisfactory z-score, but the performance of the majority of participants on the analysis of cadmium and lead in herbal matrix was generally good when compared with the assigned reference values.     

Economy of proficiency testing: reference versus consensus values

Many proficiency tests are operated with a consensus value derived from the participants’ results. Apart from technical issues, one of the reasons often mentioned is that proficiency tests operated with consensus values would be cheaper than those using reference values obtained from a priori characterisation measurements. The economy of a proficiency test must of course be balanced by the need of the participants, and the quality of the comparison in general. The proficiency tests selected in this study had both a reference value and a consensus value, one of which was used for assessing the performance of the participating laboratories. In this work, both a technical and an economical assessment of how the comparisons were operated is made. From the evaluation, it follows that usually the use of consensus values does not necessarily reduce the costs of a proficiency test. However, frequently it may be observed that the quality of the assessment of the laboratories is better with a reference value. Received: 11 October 2000 Accepted: 3 January 2001     

Investigation of Trace Metals Content and Carbon Isotopic Composition on the Soil Leaf-Fruit Chain from Some Transylvanian Areas

Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and Isotopic Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) were used in this study to trace heavy metal and isotopic content of soil into the fruit juices. This work presents a preliminary study on the carbon isotope signature and trace metal content investigated on the soil-plant-fruit pulp chain. The samples were collected from Transylvanian areas. Our results for fruit juices are compared with allowable limits for drinking water in the United Kingdom (NS30). The results for soil samples were compared with the maximum value reported for normal range values of natural soils cited by the EEA (European Environment Agency) report. The results obtained for δ¹³C values on the soil - leaf - fruit pulp chain for grape, pear, and apple samples show depletion in ¹³C isotope, as the trend of the values reported in literature for the soil–leaf–fruit chain.     

电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱法(ICP-AES)测定锰结壳中的多种金属元素

采用硝酸-盐酸-氢氟酸高压封闭消解样品,电感耦合等离子体光谱法测定锰结核GBW07296和富钴结壳GSMC-1标准物质中的18种常、微量元素。实验过程中确定了最佳工作条件,选择了最佳分析谱线。实验结果表明,该方法线性相关系数良好r>0.999 8,方法检出限低,精密度高,RSD小于2.0%(n=6),可同时测定锰结壳中的多种金属元素,方法完全能满足岩石、土壤、海洋沉积物中多个元素的检测需求。     

A separation method to overcome the interference of calcium on the uranium determination by ICP-ES

The accurate determination of uranium by Inductively Coupled Plasma Emission Spectrometry (ICP-ES) in calcium phosphate matrix suffers from a severe ionization interference due to the high calcium content of the samples. This leads to a signal depression up to 30%. For reliable determinations an extraction method based on anion exchange resin column chromatography is described which separates uranium for the needs in ICP-ES measurements. The results are comparable with results obtained by other determination methods. In addition, reference materials were measured to verify this extraction procedure.     

A separation method to overcome the interference of calcium on the uranium determination by ICP-ES

The accurate determination of uranium by Inductively Coupled Plasma Emission Spectrometry (ICP-ES) in calcium phosphate matrix suffers from a severe ionization interference due to the high calcium content of the samples. This leads to a signal depression up to 30%. For reliable determinations an extraction method based on anion exchange resin column chromatography is described which separates uranium for the needs in ICP-ES measurements. The results are comparable with results obtained by other determination methods. In addition, reference materials were measured to verify this extraction procedure.     

The Analysis of Cobalt in High Purity Nickel for Reactor Neutron Dosimetry by Means of Ion Exchange Combined with ICP-AES and Ion Exchange Combined with GF-AAS

Abstract

This paper describes the determination of Co in two samples of high purity Ni by means of ion-exchange in combination with Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES) and by means of Graphite Furnace - Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (GF-AAS). These samples were both Nickel metal of 99.75%. nominal purity of which one was in the form of a 0.1 mm thick foil and the other a 0.5 mm diameter wire. The Co content in these; samples was determined in the process of a certification campaign and these samples are intended to serve as reference material for Reactor Neutron Dosimetry. The sample treatment and the detection of Co both via ICP-AES and GF-AAS are discussed. The values obtained for both Nickel samples are in accordance with the later certified value.     

Trace elements in bovine muscle: an ongoing project for a new certified reference material

In the framework of the activities of the Community Reference Laboratory (CRL) for residues at the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS) of Rome, a number of proficiency tests were performed in order to assess and improve, wherever necessary, the quality of regulatory residue analysis within the EU. In this context, a pilot study was undertaken with the purpose of ascertaining the feasibility of a project for the certification of a new reference material for trace elements in bovine muscle. On behalf of the ISS, approximately 70 kg of bovine muscle, collected at a slaughterhouse in Geel (Belgium), were freeze-dried, homogenized, stabilized and bottled under argon atmosphere by the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements, Joint Research Centre, European Commission (IRMM-JRC-EC). Preliminary analyses were carried out with Quadrupole (Q) and High Resolution (HR) Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to evaluate the content of As, Cd, Cu and Pb, whereas the Flow Injection Mercury System (FIMS) was used to quantify Hg. Digestion of the matrix was achieved by acid-assisted microwave irradiation. The mean values of experimentally obtained data were the following (in nanograms per gram): As, 24.2±1.2; Cd, 5.48±0.29; Cu, 4765±95; Hg, 3.37±0.73; and Pb, 184±7. Subsequently, 16 National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) for residues in the Member States plus the Norwegian one and eight Italian public laboratories were accepted to participate in the project and received one bottle of the freeze-dried bovine muscle. The laboratories were requested to perform three different analytical runs (in three different days), each consisting of three individual measurements. Preliminary results showed good agreement and fair evidence for homogeneity of the entire mass, thus setting the stage for the future certification of this candidate CRM.     

An Interlaboratory Comparison of a Standardised EDTA Extraction Procedure for the Analysis of Available Trace Elements in Two Quality Control Soils

Abstract

A standardised EDTA extraction procedure was tested collaboratively by six laboratories using two in-house reference soils identified as soil A and soil B. The extracts were analysed for Zn, Cu, Pb and Mn by Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometry. Concentrations of extractable elements in soil A were generally much lower than those found in soil B. All laboratories produced some extreme outlying results, most of these were produced in soil B. Results for Mn were the most variable, with a range of 63.4–100.3 μg g^?1 in soil A and 226.4–415.3 μg g^?1 in soil B. In both soils, one laboratory reported high values for Zn and Mn and, one laboratory, for soil B, produced values for all four elements which were consistently low.

If outlying results are ignored, the results from most laboratories were in reasonable agreement for all elements except Mn.     

Trends in Preconcentration Procedures for Metal Determination Using Atomic Spectrometry Techniques

 Methods for metal preconcentration are often described in the literature. However, purposes are often different, depending on whether the methods are applied in environmental, clinical or technological fields. The respective method needs to be efficient, give high sensitivity, and ideally also is selective which is useful when used in combination with atomic spectroscopy. This review presents the actual tendencies in metal preconcentration using techniques such as Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (FAAS), Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (ETAAS), Hydride Generation Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (HGAAS), Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP OES) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Procedures based on related to electrochemical, coprecipitation/precipitation, liquid–liquid and solid–liquid extraction and atom trapping mechanisms are presented. Correspondence: Department of Analytical Chemistry, Universidade Estadual de Campinas – UNICAMP, P.O. Box 6154, 13083-970 Campinas, Brazil. e-mail: zezzi@iqm.unicamp.br Received December 20, 2001; accepted October 11, 2002     

A review of proficiency testing scheme in Republic of Korea: in the field of water analysis

For regulatory purposes, it is often required to check the quality of environmental chemical analyses by routine proficiency testing (PT). In this study, the PT scheme of environmental laboratories in Republic of Korea has been reviewed. Especially, real water-based reference materials (RMs) were prepared and distributed for PT schemes. The consensus values from the PT were calculated by robust statistics with its standard uncertainties. The relative bias between the reference values and the consensus values was used as one of the indicators for the determination of the assigned values. The relationship between the performances of the laboratories, expressed by Z scores, and the concentration levels of the RMs were also revealed.     

A simple solution to expanding available reference materials for Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry analysis: Applications to sedimentary materials

Analytical data on sediments are of great importance in understanding and documenting environmental issues. For laboratories interested in in-situ chemical analysis of sediments by LA-ICP-MS, a major issue is the lack of appropriate matrix matched sediment reference materials. Those available were largely designed for partial extractions which generally do not reflect the total elemental compositions. In this work we provide a comprehensive study on chemical compositions of seven currently available sediment reference materials (Lake sediments: LKSD-1, LKSD-2, LKSD-3, Stream sediments: STSD-2, STSD-3, and Marine sediments: PACS-2, MESS-3) as determined by Solution Nebulization Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (SN-ICP-MS) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) after digestion in a mixture of concentrated HNO₃ and HF acids. We also report a simple method to prepare these sediment reference materials and more generally appropriate sediment cores for LA-ICP-MS analysis using epoxy resin. This sample preparation method maintains sediment integrity for high spatial resolution analysis which is required for tracing changes in environmental conditions over short time periods. This work also demonstrates the application of fs-LA-ICP-MS as a tool for direct, rapid and high spatial resolution analysis of sediments.     

A field aluminium speciation method to study the aluminium hazard in water

The toxicity of aluminium is governed by its bioavailability. Therefore, the speciation of aluminium in drinking water becomes of prime importance to understand its fate and the population exposure, and to develop guidelines for the concentration levels. At Health Canada, a field speciation method has been developed to perform on-site speciation followed by measurement of Al in the laboratory. The following species are generated: 1) total recoverable; 2) total acid-leacheable; 3) total dissolved; 4) dissolved extracted; and 5) dissolved non extracted. The field extractions are performed by percolation through chelation columns, which are later processed in the laboratory. Aluminium determinations can then be performed by numerous methods, such as by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICPMS), Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (GFAAS) or Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES). Examples of results for raw or treated/ distributed surface waters, as well as for groundwaters, are used to illustrate the validity of the method, and the importance of considering aluminium speciation in characterizing the aluminium hazard in water.     

电感耦合等离子体发射光谱法(ICP-OES)测定直接法氧化锌中铝、铜、铅、铁、镉、锰

建立了电感耦合等离子体发射光谱法测定直接法氧化锌中铝、铜、铅、铁、镉、锰元素含量的分析方法。确定了溶样方法和分析谱线,对方法精密度和准确度进行了考察,结果表明,各元素的相对标准偏差在2.5%~6.5%,加标回收率在92%~105%,测定结果与其它经典分析方法测定结果一致。所建立的方法准确、快速,适用于直接法氧化锌中多元素同时测定。     

A convenient and economic approach to achieve SI-traceable reference values to be used in drinking-water interlaboratory comparisons

Metrologically traceable reference values add an essential benefit to interlaboratory comparisons: unlike consensus values, they can be used to establish national and international comparability. Furthermore, the participating laboratories obtain a reliable and unbiased benchmark to check their results for accuracy. Usually, metrologically traceable reference values are obtained by so-called primary methods which demand excessive efforts at great expense. Within the framework of two national drinking-water interlaboratory comparisons (proficiency testing rounds), a new approach to provide metrologically traceable reference values was applied. It is solely based on existing data which were collected during the comparison itself. Lead (Pb) measurements serve as an example to show how metrologically traceable reference values were derived from the lead amount added during sample preparation and the amount of lead already present in the drinking-water matrix used to prepare these samples. Within this approach, the matrix content is calculated in a way similar to a standard addition experiment. An uncertainty budget for the reference value was set up which describes the link to the corresponding SI units. Isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS) as a primary method was used to validate this approach in the case of cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, and nickel.