Performance assessment of elemental characterization in environmental samples at the KRISS–KAERI INAA laboratory

Verification of analytical laboratory performance is essential to ensure the analytical procedure adopted to obtain reliable results. The KRISS–KAERI joint research center participated in IAEA proficiency tests to verify the analytical performance of the laboratory, specifically for the INAA technique. A forty major, minor, and trace elements in siliceous and plant matrix samples were analyzed using standard calibrator INAA, relative INAA, k 0 -INAA, and WD-XRF methods. Statistical metrics such as z- or z’-score, zeta score, and R-score were calculated based on assigned values for elements. We achieved a good score, with less than 2 in statistical matrices for most elements, which confirmed the capabilities of methodology procedure used in the KRISS–KAERI INAA laboratory.