Origin and preparation of the material
A sample of about 30 kg of sediment from the Lagoon of Venice (Italy) was collected. This sediment was deep-frozen, freeze-dried, ground and sieved to pass through a 250 µm stainless steel sieve. This powder, with a particle size of less than 250 µm was homogeneized by mixing in a rotating drum for two weeks. Then, aliquots of about 35 g were packed into glass bottles with aluminium screw caps and sealed with teflon tape.
Recommended values for mass fractions
Pesticides and PCBs
(based on dry mass)
| Analyte | Recommended value1 [ng g-1] | 95% Confidence interval2 [ng g-1] |
| pp'DDE | 1.2 | 0.75 – 1.8 |
| Aroclor 1254 | 36 | 24 – 48 |
| PCB No 28 | 1 | 0.77 – 1.4 |
| PCB No 31 | 0.76 | 0.38 – 1.2 |
| PCB No 52 | 2.5 | 1.1 - 2.8 |
| PCB No 101 | 2.9 | 1.3 - 4.2 |
| PCB No 105 | 0.99 | 0.77 - 1.5 |
| PCB No 110 | 2.4 | 1.8 - 3.6 |
| PCB No 118 | 3.3 | 2.2 - 4.1 |
| PCB No 128 | 0.63 | 0.52 - 0.87 |
| PCB No 138 | 4.4 | 2.6 - 6.1 |
| PCB No 149 | 3.2 | 2.3 - 3.7 |
| PCB No 153 | 4.3 | 2.3 - 5.4 |
| PCB No 170 | 0.82 | 0.62 - 1.3 |
| PCB No 180 | 2.5 | 1.9 - 3.4 |
| PCB No 183 | 0.47 | 0.34 - 0.57 |
| PCB No 187 | 1.3 | 0.63 - 1.5 |
| PCB No 194 | 0.54 | 0.31 - 0.73 |
| PCB No 209 | 2.1 | 1.2 - 3 |
1) Median values calculated after rejection of outliers
2) 95% Confidence interval of the median
Recommended values for mass fractions
Petroleum hydrocarbons
(based on dry mass)
| Analyte | Recommended value1 [ng g-1] | 95% Confidence interval2 [ng g-1] |
| n-C17 | 380 | 330 - 470 |
| Phenanthrene | 160 | 140 - 190 |
| 2 Methyl Phenanthrene | 31 | 24 - 38 |
| 1 Methyl Phenanthrene | 24 | 18 - 28 |
| Anthracene | 30 | 25 - 34 |
| Chrysene | 170 | 120 - 220 |
| Fluorene | 27 | 24 - 34 |
| Fluoranthene | 290 | 260 - 350 |
| Pyrene | 280 | 210 - 350 |
| Benzo [b] Fluoranthene | 150 | 96 - 190 |
| Benzo [k] Fluoranthene | 73 | 48 - 76 |
| Benz [a] Anthracene | 105 | 83 - 130 |
| Perylene | 58 | 41 - 130 |
| Benzo [e] Pyrene | 160 | 120 - 210 |
| Benzo [a] Pyrene | 120 | 77 - 140 |
| 1 Methyl Naphthalene | 14 | 11 - 28 |
| Naphthalene | 96 | 52 - 110 |
| Benzo [g,h,i] Perylene | 190 | 69 - 230 |
| Acenaphthylene | 47 | 31 - 59 |
| Acenaphthene | 16 | 13 - 21 |
1) Median values calculated after rejection of outliers
2) 95% Confidence interval of the median
Information values for mass fractions
Chlorinated pesticides, PCBs Congeners, Petroleum hydrocarbons and Sterols
please consult Reference sheet and Report (attached)
Please note that information values are not to be used for any assessment of analytical performance or similar; they are included to provide information about expected mass fractions/concentration levels.
The assigned values were established on the basis of statistically valid results submitted by laboratories which had participated in an international interlaboratory comparison organized by the IAEA Environment Laboratories, Monaco, between 1997-1998.
The details concerning all reported results as well as the criteria for qualification as a recommended or information value may be found in the respective report (attached).
