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U.S. Department of Energy
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Round-robin study of methods for trace metal analysis: Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy -- Aluminum, beryllium, and thallium. Final report

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:188544
; ;  [1]
  1. TRW Inc., Redondo Beach, CA (United States). Space and Technology Div.
The objective of the Analytical Methods Qualification (AMQ) phase is to develop validated standard deviation and bias statements of analytical methods for selected elements in utility matrices. During this phase of the AMQ project, AMQ-IV, Round 1, three elements (aluminum, beryllium and thallium) were validated in five matrices (reagent grade water, river water, ash pond overflow, seawater intake, seawater discharge and treated chemical metal cleaning waste). Eighteen laboratories completed the study. Statements of standard deviation and bias for each element and matrix were produced using STATCALC, a statistical analysis program developed by EPRI. The standard deviation data were used to calculate the Interlaboratory Critical Level (L{sub Cl}) and Alternative Minimum Level (AML) for each element by matrix. The L{sub Cl} is the lowest concentration that is distinct from zero to a specific level of confidence. The L{sub Cl} is comparable to the Compliance Monitoring Detection Level (CMDL) developed earlier by EPRI. The AML, which is an estimate of quantitation, is a factor of 10 times the interlaboratory standard deviation at the L{sub Cl} corrected to true concentration units with the appropriate prediction interval. In comparing the AMLs calculated from this study with the lowest EPA water quality criteria (WQC) listed, the AMLs were higher in all but 4 of the 17 cases where there were data for the AML. This work will help utilities define reasonable pollutant discharge limits and effluent monitoring requirements.
Research Organization:
Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States); TRW Space and Technology Group, Redondo Beach, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States)
OSTI ID:
188544
Report Number(s):
EPRI-TR--105910
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English