Nachweisbereich

Nachweisbereich, also known as the limit of detection or detection limit, refers to the lowest concentration or amount of a substance that can be reliably detected by a specific analytical method or instrument. It is a crucial parameter in analytical chemistry, environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics, and various other scientific fields where precise identification and quantification of substances are essential.

The Nachweisbereich is distinct from the quantitative range, which is the concentration range over which a substance can be accurately measured. The Nachweisbereich simply indicates whether the substance is present above a certain threshold of detectability.

Determining the Nachweisbereich typically involves analyzing blank samples (samples known to not contain the analyte) and samples with very low concentrations of the analyte. Statistical analysis is then used to establish a signal that is significantly distinguishable from the background noise or blank signal.

A lower Nachweisbereich indicates a more sensitive analytical method, capable of detecting even minute quantities of a substance. This is particularly important in applications such as detecting trace contaminants, early disease markers, or environmental pollutants where extremely low concentrations can have significant implications. Conversely, a higher Nachweisbereich means the method is less sensitive and can only detect substances at higher concentrations. The Nachweisbereich is influenced by factors such as the instrument's sensitivity, the sample matrix, and the specific analytical procedure employed.