Kenttäkontrollinäytteet

Kenttäkontrollinäytteet, also known as field control samples, are samples collected in the field for comparison purposes in environmental monitoring and scientific research. These samples are crucial for assessing the accuracy and reliability of analytical results obtained from other samples. Typically, a control sample is a known quantity of a substance or a matrix that is assumed to be free of the analyte being tested, or contains a precisely known concentration.

The primary purpose of collecting field control samples is to identify and quantify potential sources of contamination or error that might occur during the sample collection, handling, or transportation process. For instance, if a lab analyzes multiple water samples for a specific pollutant, a field control sample might be a bottle of clean water that is opened and handled identically to the environmental samples. If the control sample later shows contamination, it indicates a problem with the field procedures rather than the environment being studied.

Common types of field control samples include field blanks, trip blanks, and replicate samples. Field blanks are processed in the field like regular samples but contain a clean matrix. Trip blanks are prepared in the laboratory and remain sealed throughout the sampling trip, accompanying the environmental samples. Replicate samples are multiple samples taken from the same location at the same time to assess sampling variability. By analyzing these control samples alongside the actual samples, researchers can confidently interpret their results and ensure the integrity of their data.