A new certified reference material for the quality control of trace elements in marine monitoring: Cod muscle (CRM 422)

Analyses of fish tissues are routinely carried out by a number of laboratories to monitor the levels of contamination of the marine environment and food by toxic elements, e.g. by heavy metals. To improve and control the quality of such determinations, the Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) has organized a certification campaign which enabled us to produce a reference material (cod muscle CRM 422) certified for its contents of As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, I, Mn, Pb, Se, and Zn. This material was collected in the southern part of the North Sea, carefully prepared (filleted and crushed under liquid nitrogen) and its homogeneity and long term stability were verified. This paper presents the certification work performed.