Validation of a horizontal method for trace elements in soil, sludge and biowaste

Validation of an analytical method is a necessary step in controlling the quality of quantitative analysis. Method validation is an established process, which is the provision of documentary evidence that a system fulfils its pre-defined specification or the process of providing that an analytical method is acceptable for its intended purpose. To implement a validated method for the analysis of 22000 soil samples stemming from 2009 LUCAS Soil Survey as well as from sewage sludge and treated biowaste samples from to FATE-Programme, a validation study was conducted with the following objectives: (i) to validate these methods for the determination of heavy metals by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) and Could Vapour-Atomic Adsorption Spectrometry (CV-AAS) techniques, respectively, according to the ISO 17025 requirement and (ii) to implement these methods for the determination of heavy metals in soil, sludge and compost samples on a routine basis. The two methods were validated using Certified Reference Materials (CRMs): BCR 141R ‘Calcareous Loam Soil’, BCR 142 ‘Light Sandy Soil’, “San Joaquin Soil” SRM 2709 and LCG 6181 ‘sewage sludge’. The calibration curves, detection and quantification limits, trueness as well as repeatability were determined. The budget uncertainty was also estimated (including a full uncertainty budget and Ishikawa-diagram). The observed expanded uncertainty were establish for Ag (4.0%, Al (6.1%), As(7.6% ), Ba (5.3%), Cd (4.5%), Co(7.4%), Cr (5.8%), Cu (3.5%), Fe (5.4%), Mg (6.5%), Mn (4.1%), Mo (2.5%), Ni (5.4%), Pb (7.0%), Sb (6.8%), Se (3.1%), Ti (8.3%), V (4.3%), Zn (5.9%), P (14.2%), K (20.0%).JRC.H.1-Water Resource

Occurrence and levels of selected compounds in European compost and digestate samples

This report describes work conducted by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) in the context of an Administrative Arrangement between DG Environment and the JRC. This work aimed at the generation, within a limited timeframe, of a large amount of analytical data, with high scientific and statistical value, for a number of compost and digestate types (afterwards referred to as COMDIG samples), to help provide a general overview and estimation of that possible variability within and between different COMDIG materials. The report includes the results of a targeted and independent screening of typical European situations of COMDIG materials with regard to the occurrence and levels of compounds of concern, many of which have never been assessed at a pan-European level. In total, 139 samples, mostly taken as grab samples and originating from 15 countries, were assessed for 22 minor and trace elements and 92 organic compounds including ingredients of personal care products and pharmaceuticals. The underlying analytical methods are carefully documented with regard to their performance characteristics. Where available, the so-called “horizontal” standards were followed. The results obtained are assessed statistically. Although the analysed single samples are insufficient to make any statement on the performance of the treatment processes leading to COMDIG samples, this collective of data provide a glimpse of the pan-European situation as regards the studied compounds.JRC.H.1-Water Resource

The Near Infrared Microscopic (NIRM) Method: A Combination of the Advantages of Optical Microscopy and Near Infrared Specgtroscopy (WP5)

In this paper the authors describe the suitability of an alternative technique for the detection of meat and bone meal (MBM) in feed, which is based on the measurement of IR-spectra from individual particles of the feed. Subjecting hte spectra to multivariate analysis allows for the differentiation of particles from plant and animal origin, respectively.JRC.D.8-Food safety and qualit