Inorganic geochemistry reference materials

Preparation of reference materials at the BGS

The British Geological Survey has a longstanding track record of producing reference materials to be used for routine quality monitoring across a number of sectors, and in producing homogeneous materials for geological, soil and contaminated land proficiency testing schemes. We can homogenise and prepare representative subsample portions from a variety of geological and environmental materials in quantities from ~1 kg to ~250 kg.

For more information on this service, please contact us at inorganicgeochemistry@bgs.ac.uk

Reference materials for sale

We currently have a range of sixteen reference materials available for sale. Reference soils BGS110 to BGS119 each have data sheets containing reference and information values for 64 elements. They are intended for use as quality control samples for the determination of total elemental concentrations in soils, and contain a wide range of soil chemistry and elemental concentrations to cater for different analytical needs, interests and industries, e.g. agriculture, geochemical exploration, and contaminated land management.

BGS102 Ironstone Soil is suitable for use in bioaccessibility testing, with whole soil concentration data reported for 13 elements and bioaccessibility data for As and Pb. Additional non-validated bioaccessibility data for a wide range of elements is available in: Hamilton et al., 2015. Microchemical Journal, 123. 131-138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2015.06.001

We also offer five mineral reference materials, IGS 27, IGS 29, IGS 32, IGS 35 and IGS 39.

Data sheets for individual reference materials can be accessed via links in the table below, which also provides details of approximate sample weight and pricing.

How to purchase reference materials

For purchasing, and more information on the reference materials, please contact the inorganic geochemistry team with details of the specific reference materials of interest to you. A quotation for supply will be provided, incorporating packing/postage charges (detailed below). On approval of the quotation, you will be contacted regarding payment options. These items cannot be ordered and paid for directly from the online BGS shop.

Packing/postage is added as follows:

Tracked UK delivery: £15.00
Tracked European delivery: £25.00
Tracked worldwide delivery: £35.00

All prices quoted exclude VAT at the applicable rate.

Sterilised samples of BGS110 to BGS119 (by gamma irradiation of at least 50 kGy) are available on request for supply to countries outside of the UK.

BGS reference material details

Name	Description	Weight (g)	Price (£)
BGS102	Ironstone soil	100	100
BGS110	Till with granitic content	40	80
BGS111	Silty clay soil overlying serpentinite	38	80
BGS112	Sandy granitic till overlying granite	43	80
BGS113	Silty clay soil overlying clastic metasediments	38	80
BGS114	Silty soil overlying clastic metasediments	41	80
BGS115	Silty/peaty soil overlying limestone	24	80
BGS116	Silty soil overlying limestone	43	80
BGS117	Silty soil overlying sandstone	41	80
BGS118	Silty soil overlying shale	38	80
BGS119	Soil with industrial contamination (<250 μm)	26	80
IGS 27	Molybdenum-tungsten (Mo-W) ore	65	35
IGS 29	Pyrolusite	40	35
IGS 32	Rutile	45	35
IGS 35	Zircon	50	35
IGS 39	Fluorite	55	35