Using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry for calibration transfer between environmental CRMs

Multielement analyses of environmental reference materials have been perfor med using existing certified reference materials (CRMs) as calibration stan dards for inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The analyses have b een performed using a high-performance methodology that results in comparis on measurement uncertainties that are significantly less than the uncertain ties of the certified values of the calibration CRM. Consequently, the dete rmined values have uncertainties that are very nearly equivalent to the unc ertainties of the calibration CRM. Several uses of this calibration transfe r are proposed, including, re-certification measurements of replacement CRM s, establishing traceability of one CRM to another, and demonstrating the e quivalence of two CRMs. RM 8704, a river sediment, was analyzed using SRM 2 704, Buffalo River Sediment, as the calibration standard. SRM 1632c, Trace Elements in Bituminous Coal, which is a replacement for SRM 1632b, was anal yzed using SRM 1632b as the standard. SRM 1635, Trace Elements in Subbitumi nous Coal, was also analyzed using SRM 1632b as the standard.