Sediment Reference Materials and the Canadian Marine Analytical Chemistry Standards Program

The Marine Analytical Chemistry Standards Program was established in 1976 by the National Research Council of Canada in support of analytical aspects of marine chemistry. Part of the mandate of the program has been the development of a series of reference materials for the determination of trace inorganic and organic constituents of marine samples. Among the samples prepared to date are a set of two sediment reference materials for the determination of trace elements and inorganic constituents and a set of three sediment reference materials for the determination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB).

The inorganic sediment reference materials have been freeze-dried, screened, homogenized, bottled, and sterilized. Reliable values are given for 13 trace elements and 12 other constituents.

The PCB reference materials have been given the same treatment, except for the radiation sterilization. The levels of PCB in these sediments are expressed as parts per million (ppm) of Arochlor 1254. Values for selected congeners have also been determined.

The development of these materials, as well as work underway on the development of a set of five sediment reference materials for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) determination, is discussed.