DOI: 10.1071/en26010 ISSN: 1448-2517
Development and analysis of a mixed colloid standard with trace elements using AF4-ICP-MS
Claire M. Churchill, Salani U. Fernando, Isabelle A. M. Worms, Michaela Schmitz, Agil Azimzada, Roland Drexel, Florian Meier, Vera I. Slaveykova, Björn Meermann, Chad W. CussEnvironmental context
Colloids are small, unstable particles that play important environmental roles in the transport of trace elements and can be analysed using asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) coupled to inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). A mixed colloid solution with trace elements was tested within and across laboratories to explore if the mixture can act as a reproducible, stable standard for measuring colloids with AF4-ICP-MS. Developing reference material is an essential step towards the characterisation of environmental colloids as it promotes the standardisation of techniques and interlaboratory collaboration.