Report of the ICES Fourth Round Intercalibration for trace metals in sea water

This document constitutes a final report of the Fourth Round ICES lntercal ibration for Trace Metals in Seawater conducted on behalf of the Sub-Group on Contaminant Levels in Seawater and its successor, the Working Group on Marine Chemistry. Forty three laboratories in fifteen countries participated in the experiment and returned analytical data to the organisers by May 1st, 1979, Substantial improvements in both analytical precision and agreement between laboratories are demonstrated by the results. Sufficient participants have adequate analytical capabilities to justify the conduct of the ICES Fifth Round lntercal ibration for Trace Metals in Seawater which involves the examination and comparison of commonly-used sampling and sample storage procedures.