Multi-Element Reference Samples of Black Shale

This paper describes the creation of two new reference samples of black shale, SCHS-1 and SLg-1, collected in the Bodaibo Region of Irkutsk District (Siberia, Russia). These samples have been developed as State Standard Samples to meet the requirements of Russia's Normative Documents, so that they can be recognised by the Russian State Certification Agency and included on the State Register of certified reference materials. SCHS-1 was produced from shale of the Khomolkho suite; SLg-1 represents the average composition of the Sukhoy Log gold deposit (within Au mineralisation). The homogeneity was assessed by applying the concept of potential inhomogeneity, and the inhomogeneity uncertainties (σ_inhom) for the indicator elements that were estimated experimentally by silicate XRF analysis. It was found that a majority of the indicator elements was characterised by σ_inhom/Δ_p < 1/8 (Δ_p is the permissible certification uncertainty), and so σ_inhom was neglected for the indicator elements and all other elements that were included in their respective group. The value of σ_inhom calculated for Fe (σ_inhom,Fe/Δ_p > 1 /8) was taken into consideration for the noble metals and their associated elements (e.g., Ag, As, Au, etc.). More than fifty laboratories (thirty-seven from Russia) were involved in the interlaboratory experiment (ILE) to analyse these reference samples. The data obtained from the ILE allowed SCHS-1 and SLg-1 to be certified for, fifty-one and forty-three elements, respectively, as State Standard Samples.