Origin and preparation of the material
60 kg of Tumid Venus clams (Gafrarium tumidum) were collected in Noumea, New Caledonia. The organisms were dissected and the soft tissues were deep-frozen, freeze dried, ground into powder and sieved through a 250 μm stainless steel sieve.
The sieved biota fraction with a particle size of less than 250 μm was homogenized by mixing it in a stainless steel rotating homogenizer for three weeks. Then, aliquots of about 20 g were packaged in amber glass bottles with aluminum screw caps, labeled IAEA-451 and sealed with Teflon tape.
Recommended mass fractions values
Chlorinated pesticides
(based on dry mass)
| Analyte | Unit | Recommended value(a) | Expanded uncertainty(b) |
| HCB | µg kg-1 | 0.13 | 0.04 |
| pp' DDE | µg kg-1 | 0.74 | 0.17 |
| pp' DDD | µg kg-1 | 0.63 | 0.14 |
| Dieldrin | µg kg-1 | 1.89 | 0.55 |
| Trans- Chlordane | µg kg-1 | 0.33 | 0.07 |
(a) Recommended values are calculated from the accepted data sets, each set being obtained by a different laboratory and/or a different method of determination following ISO Guide 35 [1].
(b) The uncertainty is expressed as an expanded uncertainty with a coverage factor k = 2 estimated in accordance with ISO Guide 35 [1].
Recommended mass fractions values
PCB congeners
(Based on dry mass)
| Analyte | Unit | Recommended value(a) | Expanded uncertainty(b) |
| PCB 28 | µg kg-1 | 0.43 | 0.07 |
| PCB 52 | µg kg-1 | 0.57 | 0.16 |
| PCB 95 | µg kg-1 | 0.66 | 0.17 |
| PCB 101 | µg kg-1 | 1.69 | 0.33 |
| PCB 110 | µg kg-1 | 0.73 | 0.16 |
| PCB 118 | µg kg-1 | 0.94 | 0.18 |
| PCB 128 | µg kg-1 | 0.46 | 0.11 |
| PCB 138 | µg kg-1 | 5.4 | 1.1 |
| PCB 149 | µg kg-1 | 3.18 | 0.77 |
| PCB 153 | µg kg-1 | 10.9 | 2.0 |
| PCB 156 | µg kg-1 | 0.47 | 0.15 |
| PCB 170 | µg kg-1 | 3.32 | 0.81 |
| PCB 180 | µg kg-1 | 7.1 | 1.3 |
| PCB 183 | µg kg-1 | 1.63 | 0.39 |
| PCB 187 | µg kg-1 | 4.08 | 0.76 |
| PCB 194 | µg kg-1 | 1.61 | 0.34 |
(a) Recommended values are calculated from the accepted data sets, each set being obtained by a different laboratory and/or a different method of determination following ISO Guide 35 [1].
(b) The uncertainty is expressed as an expanded uncertainty with a coverage factor k = 2 estimated in accordance with ISO Guide 35 [1].
Recommended mass fractions values
PBDE congeners
(based on dry mass)
| Analyte | Unit | Recommended value(a) | Expanded uncertainty(b) |
| BDE 99 | µg kg-1 | 0.49 | 0.13 |
(a) Recommended values are calculated from the accepted data sets, each set being obtained by a different laboratory and/or a different method of determination following ISO Guide 35 [1].
(b) The uncertainty is expressed as an expanded uncertainty with a coverage factor k = 2 estimated in accordance with ISO Guide 35 [1].
Recommended mass fraction values
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
(Based on dry mass)
| Analyte | Unit | Recommended value(a) | Expanded uncertainty(b) |
| Phenanthrene | µg kg-1 | 18.8 | 4.8 |
| Fluoranthene | µg kg-1 | 52.2 | 9.4 |
| Pyrene | µg kg-1 | 40.3 | 7.2 |
| Chrysene | µg kg-1 | 30.0 | 5.6 |
| Benzo[a] Anthracene | µg kg-1 | 18.3 | 3.2 |
| Benzo[b] Fluoranthene | µg kg-1 | 34.6 | 6.9 |
| Benzo[k] Fluoranthene | µg kg-1 | 17.4 | 5.5 |
| Benzo[e] Pyrene | µg kg-1 | 23.7 | 6.3 |
| Benzo[a] Pyrene | µg kg-1 | 18.8 | 4.1 |
| Benzo[g,h,i] Perylene | µg kg-1 | 19.7 | 4.3 |
| Indeno[1,2,3-cd] Pyrene | µg kg-1 | 24.0 | 6.1 |
| Dibenz[a,h] Anthracene | µg kg-1 | 5.0 | 1.5 |
(a) Recommended values are calculated from the accepted data sets, each set being obtained by a different laboratory and/or a different method of determination following ISO Guide 35 [1].
(b) The uncertainty is expressed as an expanded uncertainty with a coverage factor k = 2 estimated in accordance with ISO Guide 35 [1].
Information values for mass fractions of PCB Congeners, Chlorinated pesticides, PBDE congeners and PAHs
please consult Reference sheet (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 the expected mass fractions/concentration levels
The values listed above were established on the basis of statistically valid results submitted by laboratories which had participated in an international interlaboratory comparison organized by the IAEA Marine Environment Laboratory, Monaco. The details concerning the criteria for qualification as a recommended or information value can be found in the respective report (attached).
References
[1] INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR STANDARDIZATION, Reference materials — Guidance for characterization and assessment of homogeneity and stability, ISO Guide 35:2017, ISO, Geneva (2017)
