The preparation of a new candidate certified reference material ( CRM) for trace elements based on the antarctic bivalve Adamussium colbecki ( IRMM 813) was carried out by the Istituto Superiore di Sanita ( ISS, Rome, Italy) in cooperation with the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements, Joint Research Centre of the European Commission ( EC-JRC-IRMM), in the frame of the Italian National Programme of Research in Antarctica ( Programma Nazionale di Ricerca in Antartide, PNRA). Samples were collected at Terra Nova Bay ( Ross Sea) during the 2000-2001 expedition in Antarctica. The preparation of a material suitable for certification was performed by the EC-JRC-IRMM. Measurements for homogeneity and short-term stability tests were carried out by ISS. The elements selected for the certification project were As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn. For the above-mentioned tests, the determination of the elements of interest was performed on samples mineralised by microwave-assisted acid digestion. The analytical techniques employed to this end were inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry ( ICP-AES) and inductively coupled plasma dynamic reaction cell quadrupole mass spectrometry ( ICP-DRC-Q-MS). The candidate material was shown to be fit for purpose with regard to homogeneity and short-term stability, thus allowing the following phases of the certification project to be undertaken, in the first place the selection of expert laboratories for the accomplishment of the certification campaign. |
