Performance assessment of elemental characterization in environmental samples at the KRISS-KAERI INAA laboratory

Abstract

Verification of analytical laboratory performance is essential to ensure the analytical procedure adopted to obtain reliable results. The KRISS-KAERI joint research center participated in IAEA proficiency tests to verify the analytical performance of the laboratory, specifically for the INAA technique. A forty major, minor, and trace elements in siliceous and plant matrix samples were analyzed using standard calibrator INAA, relative INAA, k0-INAA, and WD-XRF methods. Statistical metrics such as z- or z'-score, zeta score, and R-score were calculated based on assigned values for elements. We achieved a good score, with less than 2 in statistical matrices for most elements, which confirmed the capabilities of methodology procedure used in the KRISS-KAERI INAA laboratory.