| Title | Ion chromatography performances evaluated from the third AQUACON freshwater analysis interlaboratory exercise |
| Abstract | The Environment Institute of the JRC-EC offered since 1990 assistance to member states of the EU in the frame of the "Analytical Quality Control and Assessment Studies in the Mediterranean Basin Project" (AQUACON). This project aimed at the identification, quantification and reduction of random and systematic errors associated with the most important branches of environmental analysis, for example water analysis, through the organization of collaborative studies. Exercises for rainwater analysis were started in 1991 and continued every year until 2000. The first surface water exercise was organized in 1996, followed by two further exercises in 1997 and 2000, which is described in the present paper.
Two sample types were prepared and distributed: the first for the analysis of a series of stable parameters (K, Na, Mg, Ca, chloride, sulphate, nitrate, alkalinity, conductivity and pH) and the second for a series of suspected lower stability parameters (ammonium-nitrogen, o-phosphate, total P and total N, silicate). Two samples showing different concentration levels were prepared for each of the sample types.
The variability between samples and the stability of samples in time was tested by two reference laboratories (Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Pallanza, and Environment Institute, JRC, Ispra). The reference laboratories took also the responsibility of establishing the target values and their uncertainty.
From the very first exercise in 1991 the AQUACON water analysis exercises grew steadily in popularity and in the here described last exercise 224 laboratories from 30 countries around the world enrolled and 155 laboratories reported results. Results showed many outliers for ammonium and o-phosphate, especially in the low concentration sample. Several results show marked differences in the ionic balance. Youden graphs show the prevalence of systematic over random errors. |
| Source | Accreditation and quality assurance 9 (4-5), pp. 242–246 |
| Keywords | Ion chromatographyRepeatabilityReproducibilityFreshwater analysisAnalytical quality control |
| Journal | Accreditation and quality assurance |
| Editor | Springer, Heidelberg ;, Germania |
| Year | 2004 |
| Type | Articolo in rivista |
| DOI | 10.1007/s00769-004-0759-4 |
| Authors | Mosello R., Tartari G.A., Marchetto A., Polesello S., Bianchi M., Muntau H. |
| Text | 168202 2004 10.1007/s00769 004 0759 4 ISI Web of Science WOS 000189285700012 Ion chromatography Repeatability Reproducibility Freshwater analysis Analytical quality control Ion chromatography performances evaluated from the third AQUACON freshwater analysis interlaboratory exercise Mosello R., Tartari G.A., Marchetto A., Polesello S., Bianchi M., Muntau H. R. Mosello , G.A. Tartari , A. Marchetto , S. Polesello , M. Bianchi and H. Muntau Institute of Ecosystem Study, National Research Council, Verbania Pallanza, Italy Water Research Institute,National Research Council, Brugherio, Italy ECOCONSULT, Gavirate, Italy University of Sassari, Italy The Environment Institute of the JRC EC offered since 1990 assistance to member states of the EU in the frame of the Analytical Quality Control and Assessment Studies in the Mediterranean Basin Project AQUACON . This project aimed at the identification, quantification and reduction of random and systematic errors associated with the most important branches of environmental analysis, for example water analysis, through the organization of collaborative studies. Exercises for rainwater analysis were started in 1991 and continued every year until 2000. The first surface water exercise was organized in 1996, followed by two further exercises in 1997 and 2000, which is described in the present paper. Two sample types were prepared and distributed the first for the analysis of a series of stable parameters K, Na, Mg, Ca, chloride, sulphate, nitrate, alkalinity, conductivity and pH and the second for a series of suspected lower stability parameters ammonium nitrogen, o phosphate, total P and total N, silicate . Two samples showing different concentration levels were prepared for each of the sample types. The variability between samples and the stability of samples in time was tested by two reference laboratories Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Pallanza, and Environment Institute, JRC, Ispra . The reference laboratories took also the responsibility of establishing the target values and their uncertainty. From the very first exercise in 1991 the AQUACON water analysis exercises grew steadily in popularity and in the here described last exercise 224 laboratories from 30 countries around the world enrolled and 155 laboratories reported results. Results showed many outliers for ammonium and o phosphate, especially in the low concentration sample. Several results show marked differences in the ionic balance. Youden graphs show the prevalence of systematic over random errors. 9 http //www.springerlink.com/content/ft9j464ypvb54r3q/ articolo Lavoro_Berlino_pubb.pdf Articolo in rivista Springer 0949 1775 Accreditation and quality assurance Accreditation and quality assurance Accredit. qual. assur. Accreditation and quality assurance. Accreditation and quality assurance Print stefano.polesello POLESELLO STEFANO aldo.marchetto MARCHETTO ALDO rosario.mosello MOSELLO ROSARIO gabriele.tartari TARTARI GABRIELE TA.P04.021.002 Distribuzioni ed effetti di macro e micro inquinanti in ambienti acquatici |
