Validation of the method of isotopic dilution (primary method) on a certified reference material (species of mercury in a fish matrix) - Final report

In order to understand the impact and the interaction of a mineral element (metals and metalloids) with the environment, it is necessary to determine, not only the total value, but also concentrations of chemical species under which it appears. Whereas the main pathway of bio-contamination of humans by mercury is the food chain, and as the high capacity of bio-accumulation of aquatic species leads to high mercury levels in aquatic organisms even though quantities in water are low, it is thus necessary to have a reference method for the dosing of toxic species in environmental matrices. Thus, the authors report the development and implementation of a metrological protocol to perform the separation analysis of mercury in sea products. The method has been validated by using certified reference materials (either lyophilised or fresh fish). The method uncertainty has been determined, and the traceability has been established by using the primary method of isotopic dilution.