Quality assurance through laboratory reference materials (LRMs): dataset for non-certified elements (Al, Fe, Li, Mn and Pb) in estuarine sediment BCR-277R

Datasets for aluminium (Al), iron (Fe), lithium (Li), manganese (Mn) and lead (Pb) in the commercial estuarine sediment BCR-277RThree specialized laboratories examined the determination of non-certified trace elements (Al, Fe, Li, Mn and Pb) in a commercial CRM and therefore, produced a so-called laboratory reference material (LRM). The dataset (total mass fractions and their associated uncertainties) were estimated both using parametric and non-parametric methods. The results provided a coherent assessment for all except for Pb, in agreement with the results found by the CRM producer. We discuss the feasibility of the implementation of small-sized specialized laboratory comparisons to produce LRMs (from CRMs) for non-certified chemicals and strongly discourage attempts by a single laboratory