The JRC released a new seawater reference material certified for its mercury concentration. This certified reference material (CRM) was produced in support of the Water Framework Directive (Directive 2000/60/EC) and will make the quality assessment of coastal waters more reliable.
Because of its acute and chronic toxicity, mercury is included in the list of priority substances to determine the good chemical status of the aquatic environment (Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC). The daughter Directive 2013/39/EU sets an Environmental Quality Standard of 70 ng/L of mercury (this amount would be equivalent to 1 lump sugar (cube) dissolved in 14 Olympic swimming pools). Measurements at such low concentrations are very challenging. To ensure that the results from environmental monitoring are reliable, Directive 2009/90/EC states that laboratories must demonstrate their competence and need to use reference materials.
Further information: ec.europa.eu