ERM-CD200: Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus):

Approximately 60 kg of brown algae seaweed (bladderwrack, Fucus vesiculosus) was  collected in Galway (Ireland) and processed at IRMM (Belgium) to produce a certified  reference material (CRM) of seaweed powder. The produced vials containing the processed  seaweed were carefully capped, sealed and stored for further certification studies.  Between-unit homogeneity was quantified as well as stability during dispatch and storage in  accordance with ISO Guide 35:2006 [2]. Within-unit homogeneity was also quantified to  determine the minimum sample intake.  The material was characterised by an inter-laboratory comparison among laboratories of  demonstrated competence and adhering to ISO/IEC 17025. Technically invalid results were  removed but no outlier was eliminated on statistical grounds only. 

The material is intended for the quality control and assessment of method performance. As  any reference material, it can also be used for control charts or validation studies.  The CRM is available in amber glass vials containing approximately 5 g of dried powder,  placed in aluminized polythene sachet closed under a nitrogen atmosphere.  The minimum amount of sample to be used is 200 mg.  

keywords: environmental material , biological material , plant material, trace elements , heavy metals, foodstuff