TY - JOUR
T1 - Quality and comparability of measurement of potentially toxic elements in urban soils by a group of European laboratories
AU - Davidson, Christine M.
AU - Nordon, Alison
AU - Urquhart, Graham J.
AU - Ajmone-Marsan, Franco
AU - Biasioli, Mattia
AU - Duarte, Armando C.
AU - Diaz-Barrientos, Encarnation
AU - Grcman, Helena
AU - Hodnik, Andreja
AU - Hossack, Iain
AU - Hursthouse, Andrew S.
AU - Ljung, Karin
AU - Madrid, Fernando
AU - Otabbong, Erasmus
AU - Rodrigues, Sonia
PY - 2007
Y1 - 2007
N2 - A study has been conducted to assess the quality and comparability of measurement of aqua-regia-soluble cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, nickel, lead, and zinc in urban soils within a small cohort of European research laboratories specializing in soil science or environmental analytical chemistry. An initial survey indicated that highly variable levels of analytical quality control (e.g. use of certified reference materials) were routinely implemented in participant laboratories. When a set of soil samples-differing in metal contents and in characteristics such as pH and organic-matter content-were exchanged and analysed, approximately 20% of results differed from target values by more than 25%. A principal-component analysis was applied to data for chromium, copper, nickel, lead, and zinc, and proved successful in assessing overall laboratory performance. The study indicates that greater prominence needs to be given to quality assurance and control if comparable data are to be generated in international, collaborative research projects.
AB - A study has been conducted to assess the quality and comparability of measurement of aqua-regia-soluble cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, nickel, lead, and zinc in urban soils within a small cohort of European research laboratories specializing in soil science or environmental analytical chemistry. An initial survey indicated that highly variable levels of analytical quality control (e.g. use of certified reference materials) were routinely implemented in participant laboratories. When a set of soil samples-differing in metal contents and in characteristics such as pH and organic-matter content-were exchanged and analysed, approximately 20% of results differed from target values by more than 25%. A principal-component analysis was applied to data for chromium, copper, nickel, lead, and zinc, and proved successful in assessing overall laboratory performance. The study indicates that greater prominence needs to be given to quality assurance and control if comparable data are to be generated in international, collaborative research projects.
KW - urban soil
KW - potentially toxic elements
KW - principal-component analysis
KW - metals
KW - ash
U2 - 10.1080/03067310701297860
DO - 10.1080/03067310701297860
M3 - Article
SN - 0306-7319
VL - 87
SP - 589
EP - 601
JO - International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry
JF - International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry
IS - 8
ER -
