River sediment (S-37) - A new analytical quality control material ensuringcomparability of chlorinated hydrocarbon analysis during an international environmental study in China

A sediment reference material (S-37) was prepared as analytical quality con trol material to be used within an international project on polychlorinated hydrocarbon analysis in two Chinese rivers. The raw material was sampled d uring a cruise on Yangtse River and transported afterwards to the JRC Ispra for further processing. The material was treated according to the general principles applicable for candidate reference material production. After a thorough homogeneity stud y of the bulk the material was bottled. A total of 1080 bottles each contai ning 50 g, of dry sediment powder was obtained. Final homogeneity and stabi lity testing proved the material to be fit for the purpose. Isotope dilution GC/MS was used to establish target values for pentachlorob enzene (1.17 +/- 0.08 ng/g), hexachlorobenzene (3.60 +/- 0. 17 ng/g), octac hlorostyrene (0.19 +/- 0.01 ng/g), pentachloroanisole (0.52 +/- 0.02 ng/g), cc-HCH (0.70 +/- 0.05 ng/g), beta-HCH (1.38 +/- 0.18 ng/g), gamma-HCH (0.8 3 +/- 038 ng/g), 2,4'-DDT (0.36 +/- 0.01 ng/g), 2,4'-DDE (0.29 +/- 0.02 ng/ g), 2,4'-DDD (0.49 +/- 0.02), 4,4'-DDT (3.42 +/- 0.47 ng/g), 4,4'-DDD (1.29 +/- 0.17 ng/g), PCB 28 (0.11 +/- 0.01 ng/g), PCB 52 (0.09 +/- 0.003 ng/g), PCB 101 (0.07 +/- 0.003 ng/g), PCB 138 (0.06 +/- 0.003 ng/g) and PCB 153 ( 0.06 +/- 0.003 ng/g). Furthermore, indicative values for major and minor co nstituents as well as for polychlorinated dibenzodioxines and -furanes were measured.