Certification for trace elements and methyl mercury mass fractions in IAEA-452 scallop (Pecten Maximus) sample

A marine certified reference material (CRM), IAEA-452, prepared with scallop (Pecten maximus) sample was recently produced by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and certified for trace elements and methyl mercury (MeHg). The Scallop (Pecten maximus) sample is commonly found and consumed seafood and is also used as bio-indicators for trace metal contamination in marine pollution studies. This paper presents the sample preparation methodology, material homogeneity and stability studies, evaluation of certification campaign results, the assignment of property values and their associated uncertainty. The reference values and associated expanded uncertainty for 9 trace elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb and Zn) and MeHg in scallop sample are established. The informative value for one more element (Ni) is also given. The new CRM can be used for the development and validation of analytical methods for determination of trace elements and methyl mercury in seafood and also for quality assurance/quality control purposes.