Method for Producing Performance Evaluation Soil/Sediment Samples for White Phosphorus Analysis.

The analysis of performance evaluation samples is a routine part of most quality assurance programs. However, performance evaluation samples are not commercially available for many contaminants. This report describes the development of performance evaluation samples for white phosphorus (P4) analysis. To represent the wide range of concentrations that have been measured in field-contaminated sediment/soil samples, two types of performance evaluation samples were prepared. High concentration samples contained particulate white phosphorus in wet soil, and concentrations were stable for over 100 days. Low concentration soil samples containing white phosphorus dissolved in water or organic solvent were unstable. when silt-size glass beads were substituted for the soil, and a solution of white phosphorus in mineral oil added, concentrations were stable for over two months.