Chemical reference materials: setting the standards for ocean science [by the Committee on Reference Materials for Ocean Science, Ocean Studies Board Division on Earth and Life Studies, National Research Council]

Abstract

Chemical Reference Materials: Setting the Standards for Ocean Science is part of an evolving body of work being conducted by scientists and research sponsors interested in ensuring the quality control of oceanographic data. Chemical data collected during ongoing and future global oceanographic studies and time-series efforts must be comparable over time and among laboratories. A wide range of scientific opportunities will result from such long-term observations, such as a better understanding of the role of ocean chemistry in climate dynamics; also improved stewardship of the ocean’s natural resources. The large investment of time, money, and equipment needed for such chemical oceanographic measurements demands that the data collected be of the highest quality achievable. Chemical reference materials play a critical role in the verification of the quality of these measurements. To this end, the National Research Council Committee on Reference Materials for Ocean Science (Appendix A) was charged with the difficult tasks of identifying the most critically needed reference materials, and recommending the most appropriate approaches for their development. The committee gave careful consideration to keeping their recommendations within the context of current and future oceanographic efforts throughout this process. Committee members were chosen for their wide variety of scientific expertise and experience in production and certification of reference materials. In addition, members with proficiency in the use of reference materials for the analysis of trace metals, radioisotopes, nutrients, carbon, and organic matter were represented. The committee met on four sepaxi Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. Chemical Reference Materials: Setting the Standards for Ocean Science http://www.nap.edu/catalog/10476.html xii PREFACE rate occasions to discuss and to plan this report. One of these meetings was a workshop held in September of 2001 in Islamorada, Florida at which about 30 invitees from the ocean science community (Appendix B) listened to keynote presentations, and discussed which reference materials, if available, would enhance the ability of ocean scientists to address key research topics. In addition, workshop participants were asked to identify which materials they felt represented the highest priority for development and research. Workshop participants, posters, and discussions helped set the stage for the fruitful committee discussions that followed. The committee also relied on written comments provided by workshop participants, on an email survey of members of the American Society of Limnology and Oceanography, and on the National Science Foundation’s report on the Future of Ocean Chemistry in the U.S. (1999), which set research priorities in marine chemistry. As this report went to press, the committee was saddened by the unexpected death of a committee member, Dr. John Hedges. Dr. Hedges’ extensive and thoughtful input to this report reflected his deep interest in this topic and his hopes that this report would meaningfully further the use of reference materials in the ocean sciences. His death is a great loss to the many individuals who knew him