Abstract
This contribution describes the need and some strategies for a rigid quality control in speciation analysis. Firstly, the term “chemical speciation” is defined and differentiated from experimental concepts now called “operationally defined speciation” or “functionally defined speciation”. The need for quality control in speciation is given by the big number of sources of errors during sampling, sample preparation, separation and detection. Errors such as stability problems, contaminations or losses, spectral interferences etc. are discussed. On the other hand, several concepts for problem solutions are described. One of these solutions is the use of certified reference materials (CRM). Unfortunately, species-certified CRM are only available for few matrices and few elements, e.g. mercury in fish or sediments, lead in solutions and urban dust etc. Therefore special quality control strategies are necessary for each part of the analytical speciation procedure. Several examples of such procedures are given and discussed.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 25 July 1998 / Accepted: 8 August 1998
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Michalke, B. Quality control and reference materials in speciation analysis. Fresenius J Anal Chem 363, 439–445 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002160051219
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002160051219