Intercomparison to Improve the Quality of Trace Element Determination in Lichens

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Abstract
Analyses of lichens are routinely performed by a number of organizations to monitor the level of atmospheric contamination by toxic elements, e.g. heavy metals. To improve and control the quality of such determinations, the Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) organized an interlaboratory exercise which allowed the detection and removal of most of the pitfalls observed in the determination of a series of 17 elements, namely Al. As, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Pb and Zn. The results obtained in this intercomparison indicated that a certification campaign could possibly be undertaken with some selected laboratories. The materials used in this exercise were collected in Portugal (uncontaminated sample) and Switzerland (contaminated sample). They were prepared carefully and their homogeneity verified. This paper presents the results of the intercomparison.