title: Harmonisation and quality assurance in pre-analytical steps of soil contamination studies--conclusions and recommendations of the CEEM Soil project.
abstract: The paper summarises the project's results and consequences including expert's statements. Based on sampling strategies and methodological details which have been recognised to be critical for the comparability of the results of soil contamination studies, recommendations are given towards harmonisation of soil sampling guidelines, improvement of quality assurance of pre-analytical steps and inclusion of soil sampling into accreditation systems. Recommended approaches to improve QA and QC in soil sampling are: harmonised guidelines; specified SOPs; written sampling (strategy) plans; defined qualification and experience of sampling personnel; sampling records; regular interlaboratory comparisons (proficency tests) for sampling; and inclusion of sampling and sample preparation into accreditation procedures. Needs for further research in the field of pre-analytical phases of soil contamination studies are outlined and further R&D projects are encouraged.
authors.affiliation: Saarland University, Institute of Biogeography, Saarbrücken, Germany. g.wagner@rz.uni-sb.de
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Desaules
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Muntau
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Theocharopoulos
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Quevauviller
mesh_terms: D000068:Accreditation; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005060:Europe; D011786:Quality Control; D012016:Reference Values; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D013048:Specimen Handling
chemical_list: D012989:Soil Pollutants