Laimennusvirhe

Laimennusvirhe, also known as dilution error, is a phenomenon that occurs in analytical chemistry when a solution is diluted too much, leading to a reduction in the concentration of the analyte to a level that is difficult to measure accurately or below the detection limit of the analytical instrument. This can occur during sample preparation, serial dilutions, or when preparing standard solutions.

The primary consequence of a laimennusvirhe is inaccurate quantitative results. If the diluted concentration falls below the instrument's detection limit, the analyte may not be observed at all, leading to a false negative or an underestimation of its true concentration. Even if the analyte is still detectable, very low concentrations can be subject to greater relative error due to background noise, instrument limitations, and the inherent variability of measurement at the lower end of the calibration curve.

To avoid laimennusvirhe, careful planning of dilutions is crucial. Analysts must consider the expected concentration range of the analyte and the sensitivity of their analytical method. This often involves performing preliminary range-finding tests or using prior knowledge of the sample matrix to determine appropriate dilution factors. If a sample is suspected of being too dilute, it may be necessary to concentrate the analyte through techniques like evaporation or extraction before analysis, or to use a more sensitive analytical method. Proper calibration and validation of the analytical method across the expected concentration range are also essential to ensure reliable results.