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2025 Vol.35, Issue 4 Preview Page

Special Articles

Ensuring Accuracy and Precision in Geochemical Analysis Using Certified and Standard Reference Materials

인증 및 표준 참고물질을 활용한 지구화학 분석의 정확도 및 정밀도 검증

Yesun Lee12
,
Insu Kim3
,
Minjune Yang45
,
Jong-Sik Ryu4*
이 예선12
,
김 인수3
,
양 민준45
,
류 종식4*
1PhD Student, Major of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Division of Earth and Environmental System Sciences, Pukyoung National University
2Researcher, Integrated Analytical Center for Earth and Environmental Sciences, Pukyoung National University
3Chief Researcher, Integrated Analytical Center for Earth and Environmental Sciences, Pukyoung National University
4Associate Professor, Major of Environmental Geosciences, Division of Earth and Environmental System Sciences, Pukyoung National University
5President, Wible Co., Ltd.
1국립부경대학교 지구환경시스템과학부 지구환경과학전공 박사과정
2국립부경대학교 지구환경 융합분석센터 전임연구원
3국립부경대학교 지구환경 융합분석센터 책임연구원
4국립부경대학교 지구환경시스템과학부 지구환경과학전공 부교수
5㈜와이블 대표이사
*Corresponding Author
31 December 2025. pp. 693-715
PDF XML Citation
Abstract

In environmental and geological researches, precise and reproducible analytical data are essential for the robust interpretation of results. We evaluated an inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-based multi-element analysis system using thirteen certified and standard reference materials (CRMs and SRMs, respectively) that represent a range of geological and environmental matrices, including igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. Major, trace, and rare earth elements (REEs) were measured using ICP–optical emission spectrometry (ICP–OES) and ICP–mass spectrometry (ICP–MS). Analytical accuracy was assessed from the recovery relative to certified values, and precision was expressed as the relative standard deviation (RSD) obtained from repeated measurements. In addition, z-score, commonly used in international proficiency testing, were used to evaluate the deviation of measured values from certified values for each element and matrix. For all CRMs and SRMs, recoveries for major, trace, and REE contents were generally within ±10% of the certified values, and the overall mean RSD was 3.46 ± 1.28% (1σ, n = 672). Across all reference materials, major elements showed the lowest RSDs, with RSDs increasing systematically for trace elements and REEs. This pattern indicates that the target level of accuracy can be maintained during long-term operation and that the precision of the analytical system is not restricted to a specific matrix type. Most elements yielded |z| < 2, with larger deviations confined to a limited number of transition metals in complex sediment matrices. The higher RSDs and z-score deviations observed in such matrices are interpreted as reflecting lower analyte contents, matrix-dependent precision, and greater susceptibility to spectral and matrix interferences. To further improve the precision of analyses of these elements, the performance of quality assurance (QA)/quality control (QC) can be strengthened by optimizing H2/NH3 reaction-mode conditions to reduce polyatomic interferences and by applying matrix-tailored sample pretreatment procedures to decrease variability. Overall, the results show that the ICP-based multi-element analysis system, validated using CRMs and SRMs, can provide highly reliable analytical data to support environmental impact assessment and practical decision-making in policy and industry.

Keywords
reference material
accuracy
precision
ICP system

환경 및 지질 연구 분야에서 정밀하고 재현성 있는 분석 자료는 연구 결과의 신뢰성을 좌우하는 핵심 요소이다. 이번 연구는 화성암, 퇴적암, 변성암을 포함한 지질 및 환경 시료를 대표하는 13종의 인증 및 표준참고물질을 이용하여 유도결합 플라즈마(ICP) 기반 다 원소 분석 시스템으로 평가하였다. 주 원소, 미량원소 및 희토류 원소(REEs)는 유도결합 플라즈마 분광분석기(ICP-OES)과 질량분석기(ICP-MS)을 통해 측정하였다. 분석 정확도는 인증 값 대비 회수율로 평가하였고, 정밀도는 반복 측정으로 계산한 상대표준편차(RSD)로 나타냈다. 또한 국제 숙련도 시험에서 널리 쓰이는 z-score를 도입하여, 각 원소와 매질에 대해 측정 값이 기준 값 주변에서 어느 정도 범위에 분포하는지 확인하였다. 분석 대상 인증 및 표준참고물질에서 주 원소, 미량 원소, 희토류 원소의 정확도는 ±10% 범위이며, 반복정밀도는 전체 평균 3.46 ± 1.28% (1σ, n = 672)로 모든 참고물질에서 주 원소 RSD가 가장 낮고, 미량 원소와 희토류 원소로 갈수록 점차 증가하는 공통된 패턴을 보였다. 이는 장기 운용에도 목표 수준의 정확도가 유지되며, 분석 시스템의 정밀도가 특정 매질에만 제한되지 않음을 보여준다. z-score 분포는 대부분의 원소에서 |z| < 2 범위 내에 있었고, 일부 전이원소와 복잡한 퇴적물 매질에서만 상대적으로 편차가 나타났다. 복잡한 매질에서 관찰되는 RSD의 증가와 z-score 편차는 각 매질 특유의 정밀도 변화와 낮은 농도, 간섭에 대한 민감도가 반영된 결과로 해석된다. 이들 원소의 정밀도를 높이기 위해서는 H2/NH3 반응 모드로 다원자 간섭을 감소시키고, 시료에 맞춘 전처리 방법을 적용하여 편차를 줄일 수 있는 조건을 찾음으로써, 품질보증(QA) 및 품질관리(QC) 성능을 강화할 수 있을 것으로 보인다. 이러한 결과는 인증 및 표준참고물질로 검증된 ICP 기반 다 원소 분석 시스템이 환경영향평가와 정책·산업 분야의 실무적 의사결정을 위한 신뢰도 높은 분석 자료를 지원할 수 있음을 보여준다.

키워드
참고물질
정확도
정밀도
유도결합 플라즈마 시스템
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Information
  • Publisher :Korean Society of Engineering Geology
  • Publisher(Ko) :대한지질공학회
  • Journal Title :The Journal of Engineering Geology
  • Journal Title(Ko) :지질공학
  • Volume : 35
  • No :4
  • Pages :693-715
  • Received Date : 2025-12-02
  • Revised Date : 2025-12-19
  • Accepted Date : 2025-12-22
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.9720/kseg.2025.4.693
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