Collection, preparation and characterization of fresh, marine candidate reference materials of the German Environmental Specimen Bank

The Environmental Specimen Bank (ESB) of the Federal Republic of Germany has been collecting and preparing specially selected biological reference materials since 1982 to help to control representative ecosystems. The preparation and homogenization of the sample material is carried out at cryogenic temperatures, below minus 150-degrees-C. There is a broad palette of "fresh" candidate RMs, stored at the ESB Julich, characterized not only for special trace elements and essential bulk elements but also for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and chlorinated hydrocarbons (CHC). Just for organic analysis there is a need of fresh RMs, which can be filled by the ESB reference materials.