Sample/Field Blanks and Laboratory Blanks are treated and processed in the same manner as the samples they are submitted with. Within the laboratory, they are processed and analysed following the same methodology as the samples within that analytical batch.
Blanks provide an additional level of information to assess the conditions of samples in the field, during transportation and any potential impacts during processing in the laboratory. Often used to asses any impact of background contamination to sample results.
Blanks are prepared in the laboratory under controlled conditions and assessed to be free of any contamination prior to being included in sampling kits.
The main forms of blanks include: