Measurement and Results - Method detection limits
Knowing that the detection limit or LOD is the lowest quantity of a substance that can be distinguished from the absence of that substance (a blank value), how can you determine a Method Detection Limit when the blank value is contaminated with the analyte? The level of contamination of Mg on 10 different samples is 222 µg/L (mean) with a SD of 16.
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The MDL is based on a method's ability to determine an analyte in a sample matrix, regardless of its source of origin. This is based on the variance for the analysis of samples. At least 3 concentrations are analyzed about 10 times each and the standard deviations of the results are estimated. These standard deviations are plotted to obtain a SO extrapolated. The MDL at 95% confidence is defined as 3 x S0. If your blanks are as precise as indicated then the MDL will still be pretty low. However, if there is a high degree of variability in the blank then this approach will point this out. |