Features of «Plants» cluster from the reference materials collection IGC SB RAS

Four multielement reference materials compile the «Plants» cluster in the developed by IGC SB RAS collection. These are part of terrestrial plants (birch leaf, pine needles, mown meadow grass) and the aquatic plant Elodea canadensis (roots, stems, leaves and flowers). Plants that are sensitive indicators of the state of the environment are collected from unpolluted territories of Eastern Siberia (near and on Lake Baikal). The paper discusses differences in methods of selection and preparation of the material. Such features of these reference materials as granulometric composition (shape, size, particle size distribution), homogeneity and minimum representative mass of the sample, stability ofpowders under conditions of natural aging were studied in accordance with Russian and international requirements with the use of modern devices and methods of chemical analysis. The elemental compositions of matrix plant samples were evaluated according to the method of interlaboratory certification and are represented by the contents of more than 60 elements, of which 23 to 41 are certified. The participation of 20 to 38 accredited Russian and foreign laboratories and the use of more than ten different methods of analysis ensured the traceability of the results. The comparison of the developed and Chinese certified matrix plant reference samples demonstrated their consistency. Based on the results of the discussion of the characteristic properties offour plant PM, they are recommended for performing chemical measurements during the validation of existing and development of new analytical methods, quality control and evaluation of the traceability of the results of determining a wide range of elements in plant materials, as well as professional testing of laboratories of geo-ecological, pharmaceutical and agricultural organisations.