Knights, K.V., Green, K., Carey, S.,Johnson, C.C., Glennon, M.M (2013)
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This report details the analytical procedures and work undertaken to validate the geochemical analytical results. Validating the quality of an environmental dataset is critical given that any chemical analyses are confounded by uncertainty. Using reputable laboratories with accredited analytical and other procedures has been afforded the highest priority, yet it is still essential to assess the data in order to examine the reliability of the results and ensure that they are fit-for-purpose. To this end the topsoils geochemistry programme has employed a range of internal quality control (QC) procedures. Broadly these comprise:
- Collection of field duplicate samples and preparation and analysis of field duplicate andanalytical replicate samples
- Randomisation of sample IDs assigned to individual samples
- Blind insertion of international (preferably certified) or external reference materials
- Blind insertion of internal or secondary reference materials
- Use of analytical duplicates (incidentally the replicates were routinely produced from field duplicate samples).