Method performance evaluation for methylmercury determination in fish and sediment

The monitoring of methylmercury (MeHg) in the environment is currently perf ormed to detect concentrations in fish above threshold values and to study environmental pathways of mercury. The wide range of analytical techniques developed during the past two decades has justified the organisation of int erlaboratory studies by various organisations (e.g. BCR, IAEA) to detect po ssible sources of systematic errors and check performance characteristics. This paper gives an overview of methods tested in collaborative trials, inc luding intercomparisons and certifications of fish and sediment reference m aterials. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.