TUNA FISH (T-30). A New Proficiency Testing Material for the Determination of As and Hg in Seafood.

Abstract

The quality of the aquatic and marine environment can be monitored by determining of pollutants in organisms living in this environment. Certified reference materials and well-organised proficiency tests are powerful means of ensuring a constant level of quality and verifying the correct application of standardised methods. The paper describes the preparation of a tuna fish proficiency testing material for the evalaution of quality of As and Hg monitoring in seafood. Preparation and characterisation of the material as well sd studies on its homogeneity and stability are described. Concentrations of 3.4+-0.2 ug/g total arsenic and 2.91+-0.09 ug/g/ total mercury have been determined as target values. Moreover, indicative values for some trace elements (Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sr) and some major constituents (Al, Br, C, Ca, Cl, Fe, H, K, Mg, N, Na, P,S, Si, Zn) have also been measured.