Abstract
Interlaboratory precision in the analyses for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in samples from the marine environment has improved substantially over the past decade. Early interlaboratory comparisons of analyses for PAHs in reference sediment showed variations in the data by as much as a factor of 10 among established laboratories. During our 6-year study, such disparities have progressively decreased, through better and more uniform analytical procedures. In the latest intercomparison, the range of interlaboratory relative standard deviations (RSDs) improved better than twofold to 15–36% for 18 PAHs in a natural sediment prepared as a reference material. The improvement is attributed to (a) use of a specific, improved extraction and cleanup procedure, (b) use of calibration and internal standards from common preanalyzed supplies, and (c) preparation and use of a detailed standard methods manual. The results open the way to the establishment of statistically sound quality control programs among the participating laboratories and more rigorous monitoring of the marine environment.
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