Dahlin, Sigrun and Edwards, Anthony C and Lindström, Bodil and Ramezanian Bajgiran, Atefeh and Shand, Charles and Walker, R and Watson, Christine A and Öborn, Ingrid
(2012).
Revisiting herbage sample collection and preparation procedures to minimise risks of trace element contamination.
European journal of agronomy. 43
, 33-39
[Journal article]
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Abstract
A renewed interest in trace elements (TE), as micronutrients as well as potentially toxic elements, and new options for multi-element analysis has led to an increased number of scientists engaging in TE studies. Accreditation, certification and quality control of TE analyses often applies only to the last step in the sample chain when prepared samples are sent to the laboratory for digestion/extraction and subsequent analysis. However, all stages of the chain from initial sampling to final analysis require an understanding of the specific challenges involved in TE studies and an awareness of the contamination risks as well as approaches to limit these. Contamination can potentially be introduced during all stages of handling and preparation of plant samples, e.g. through dust and the materials that make up the different work surfaces, tools and containers used. Milling devices originally used during preparation of two sets of archived herbage samples were tested to indicate the degree of contamination that can arise from milling. For example, some of the milling devices tested showed effects on several TE concentrations while also increasing the variability between samples. A titanium knife mill which was included for comparison gave the best results, showing no measurable contamination by TE of primary interest, while it allowed a high throughput of samples. To enhance the quality of data on TE in bulky plant material such as herbage and to ensure future usability of newly archived samples, we suggest that field handbooks and sample preparation protocols (where needed) are revised to include precautions against TE contamination in all handling steps. This will ensure reliable data on concentrations of micronutrients and potential toxic TE in plant material.
Authors/Creators: | Dahlin, Sigrun and Edwards, Anthony C and Lindström, Bodil and Ramezanian Bajgiran, Atefeh and Shand, Charles and Walker, R and Watson, Christine A and Öborn, Ingrid | ||||||
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Title: | Revisiting herbage sample collection and preparation procedures to minimise risks of trace element contamination | ||||||
Series Name/Journal: | European journal of agronomy | ||||||
Year of publishing : | 2012 | ||||||
Volume: | 43 | ||||||
Page range: | 33-39 | ||||||
Number of Pages: | 7 | ||||||
Publisher: | Elsevier | ||||||
ISSN: | 1161-0301 | ||||||
Language: | English | ||||||
Publication Type: | Journal article | ||||||
Refereed: | Yes | ||||||
Article category: | Scientific peer reviewed | ||||||
Version: | Accepted version | ||||||
Full Text Status: | Public | ||||||
Subjects: | (A) Swedish standard research categories 2011 > 4 Agricultural Sciences > 401 Agricultural, Forestry and Fisheries > Agricultural Science | ||||||
Agrovoc terms: | Trace elements | ||||||
Keywords: | Micronutrient, Plant sample, Sample drying, Sample milling, Sample storage | ||||||
URN:NBN: | urn:nbn:se:slu:epsilon-e-1629 | ||||||
Permanent URL: | http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:slu:epsilon-e-1629 | ||||||
Additional ID: |
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ID Code: | 10493 | ||||||
Department: | (NL, NJ) > Dept. of Crop Production Ecology (NL, NJ) > Dept. of Soil and Environment (S) > Dept. of Soil and Environment | ||||||
External funders: | FORMAS | ||||||
Deposited By: | SLUpub Connector | ||||||
Deposited On: | 20 Sep 2013 09:15 | ||||||
Metadata Last Modified: | 24 Apr 2015 11:22 |
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