Paolo de Zorzi - Profile on Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Paolo de Zorzi
Rapporto conclusivo Interconfronto APAT-IC002
La determinazione degli idrocarburi nelle matrici ambientali
Water Air and Soil Pollution, 2002
Aquarium experiments were performed to quantify the inorganic fraction of suspended particles dep... more Aquarium experiments were performed to quantify the inorganic fraction of suspended particles deposited on the external surface of aquatic biota. The mass of suspended particles retained on the surfaces of microalgae growing on submerged substrates and the algal biomass were determined by comparing the scandium content of suspended material with that in algal communities. Scandium, a predominantly soil-associated trace element, has been used as a 'tracer' for the inorganic component of suspended particles, because this element is geologically ubiquitous in soils, and it is recognized that it cannot cross natural membranes of plants and other organisms. The algal biomass determined using the scandium content was compared with biomass values calculated using phytopigments as estimates of periphyton biomass. The results indicate that the suspended particle mass adhering to the external periphyton surface may accounted for up to 55% of the total mass collected on submerged artificial substrates.
Inter-Laboratory Comparison: The APAT Approach
Special Publication, 2006
Pure and Applied Chemistry, 2000
A metrological background for investigating out-of-specification (OOS) test results of chemical c... more A metrological background for investigating out-of-specification (OOS) test results of chemical composition is discussed. When an OOS test result is identified, it is important to determine its root causes and to avoid reoccurrence of such results. An investigation of the causes based on metrological concepts is proposed. It includes assessment of validation data of the measurement process and its metrological traceability chains, evaluation of measurement uncertainty, and related producer's and consumer's risks. This approach allows distinguishing between OOS test results that indicate an actual change in chemical composition of an analyzed object, and OOS test results that are metrologically related with a certain confidence probability, i.e., caused by measurement problems, while the analyzed object still meets the specification requirements at the time of testing.
Pure and Applied Chemistry, 2000
A soil sampling intercomparison exercise for the ALMERA network
Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 2009
Soil sampling and analysis for radionuclides after an accidental or routine release is a key fact... more Soil sampling and analysis for radionuclides after an accidental or routine release is a key factor for the dose calculation to members of the public, and for the establishment of possible countermeasures. The IAEA organized for selected laboratories of the ALMERA (Analytical Laboratories for the Measurement of Environmental Radioactivity) network a Soil Sampling Intercomparison Exercise (IAEA/SIE/01) with the objective of comparing soil sampling procedures used by different laboratories. The ALMERA network is a world-wide network of analytical laboratories located in IAEA member states capable of providing reliable and timely analysis of environmental samples in the event of an accidental or intentional release of radioactivity. Ten ALMERA laboratories were selected to participate in the sampling exercise. The soil sampling intercomparison exercise took place in November 2005 in an agricultural area qualified as a "reference site", aimed at assessing the uncertainties associated with soil sampling in agricultural, semi-natural, urban and contaminated environments and suitable for performing sampling intercomparison. In this paper, the laboratories sampling performance were evaluated.
Characterisation of a reference site for quantifying uncertainties related to soil sampling
Environmental Pollution, 2004
The paper reports a methodology adopted to face problems related to quality assurance in soil sam... more The paper reports a methodology adopted to face problems related to quality assurance in soil sampling. The SOILSAMP project, funded by the Environmental Protection Agency of Italy (APAT), is aimed at (i) establishing protocols for soil sampling in different environments; (ii) assessing uncertainties associated with different soil sampling methods in order to select the "fit-for-purpose" method; (iii) qualifying, in term of trace elements spatial variability, a reference site for national and international inter-comparison exercises. Preliminary results and considerations are illustrated.
Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 2008
The National Environmental Protection Agency of Italy (APAT) performed a soil sampling intercompa... more The National Environmental Protection Agency of Italy (APAT) performed a soil sampling intercomparison, inviting 14 regional agencies to test their own soil sampling strategies. The intercomparison was carried out at a reference site, previously characterised for metal mass fraction distribution. A wide range of sampling strategies, in terms of sampling patterns, type and number of samples collected, were used to assess the mean mass fraction values of some selected elements. The different strategies led in general to acceptable bias values (D) less than 2s, calculated according to ISO 13258. Sampling on arable land was relatively easy, with comparable results between different sampling strategies.
Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 2008
This paper aims to quantify the soil sampling uncertainty arising from the short-range spatial va... more This paper aims to quantify the soil sampling uncertainty arising from the short-range spatial variability of elemental concentrations in the topsoils of agricultural, semi-natural, and contaminated environments. For the agricultural site, the relative standard sampling uncertainty ranges between 1% and 5.5%. For the semi-natural area, the sampling uncertainties are 2-4 times larger than in the agricultural area. The contaminated site exhibited significant short-range spatial variability in elemental composition, which resulted in sampling uncertainties of 20-30%.
A practical approach to assessment of sampling uncertainty
Accreditation and Quality Assurance, 2002
... Paolo de Zorzi Maria Belli Sabrina Barbizzi Sandro Menegon Andrea Deluisa ... Italy) Univer... more ... Paolo de Zorzi Maria Belli Sabrina Barbizzi Sandro Menegon Andrea Deluisa ... Italy) Università di Pisa, Area della Ricerca CNR Istituto di Chimica del Terreno (Italy) Università ... a) specification of the measu-rand, b) identification of the uncertainty sources, c) quantification of ...
Accreditation and Quality Assurance, 2011
A metrological approach for investigating outof-specification (OOS) test results in long-term sta... more A metrological approach for investigating outof-specification (OOS) test results in long-term stability study of drug products was used. It is shown that OOS test results can indicate an actual change in a measured property of a product or be metrologically related with a certain confidence probability, i.e., be caused by the measurement problems, while the product still meets the quality requirements at the time of testing. As examples, results of testing sodium chloride injections in 500-mL plastic containers and of epinephrine (L-adrenaline) injections in 1-mL ampoules were discussed. Regression analysis of the data was performed, as well as warning and action lines for shelf life of the products calculated for relevant measurement uncertainties and confidence probabilities. Producer's and consumer's risks of the established shelf life values were also estimated.
Accreditation and Quality Assurance, 2010
A metrological background for investigating out-of-specification (OOS) test results of chemical c... more A metrological background for investigating out-of-specification (OOS) test results of chemical composition is discussed. When an OOS test result is identified, it is important to determine its root causes and to avoid reoccurrence of such results. An investigation of the root causes based on metrological concepts would be beneficial. It includes (1) assessment of validation data of the measurement process, (2) evaluation of the measurement uncertainty contributions, and (3) assessment of metrological traceability chains critical for measurement parameters and environmental conditions influencing the test results. The questions, how can the validation data be applied for this investigation, and how can measurement uncertainty contributions and/or metrological traceability chains change a probability of OOS test results, are analyzed.
Accreditation and Quality Assurance, 2007
The measurement of trace-element concentration in soil, sediment and waste, is generally a combin... more The measurement of trace-element concentration in soil, sediment and waste, is generally a combination of a digestion procedure for dissolution of elements and a subsequent measurement of the dissolved elements. "Partial" and "total" digestion methods can be used in environmental monitoring activities. To compare measurement results obtained by different methods, it is crucial to determine and to maintain control of the bias of the results obtained by these methods. In this paper, ICP-MS results obtained after matrix digestion with modified aqua regia (HCl + HNO 3 + H 2 O 2 ) method and two "total" digestion methods (microwave aqua regia + HF and HNO 3 + HF) are compared with those obtained by instrumental neutron activation analysis, a nondestructive analytical method for the determination of the total mass concentrations of inorganic components in environmental matrices. The comparison was carried out on eight agricultural soil samples collected in one test area and measured by k 0 -INAA and ICP-MS to determine As, Co, Cr, Sb and Zn mass concentration. The bias of results for As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sb and Zn of the three digestion methods were assessed using selected measurement standards. This paper highlights that the digestion procedure is an integral part of the measurement and can affect the measurement result in environmental analysis.
Measurement of PAHs in environmental matrices: results from an interlaboratory comparison on the different steps of the measurement procedure
Accreditation and Quality Assurance, 2009
Proficiency testing (PT) is becoming a feature of laboratory accreditation and the PT results are... more Proficiency testing (PT) is becoming a feature of laboratory accreditation and the PT results are used to assess the technical competence of the participating laboratories. ISPRA (former APAT) plays an important role in supporting the Italian laboratories belonging to the network of the Regional Environmental Agencies to improve the quality of their analytical measurements. As a consequence, ISPRA organized an
Rapporto conclusivo Interconfronto APAT-IC002
La determinazione degli idrocarburi nelle matrici ambientali
Water Air and Soil Pollution, 2002
Aquarium experiments were performed to quantify the inorganic fraction of suspended particles dep... more Aquarium experiments were performed to quantify the inorganic fraction of suspended particles deposited on the external surface of aquatic biota. The mass of suspended particles retained on the surfaces of microalgae growing on submerged substrates and the algal biomass were determined by comparing the scandium content of suspended material with that in algal communities. Scandium, a predominantly soil-associated trace element, has been used as a 'tracer' for the inorganic component of suspended particles, because this element is geologically ubiquitous in soils, and it is recognized that it cannot cross natural membranes of plants and other organisms. The algal biomass determined using the scandium content was compared with biomass values calculated using phytopigments as estimates of periphyton biomass. The results indicate that the suspended particle mass adhering to the external periphyton surface may accounted for up to 55% of the total mass collected on submerged artificial substrates.
Inter-Laboratory Comparison: The APAT Approach
Special Publication, 2006
Pure and Applied Chemistry, 2000
A metrological background for investigating out-of-specification (OOS) test results of chemical c... more A metrological background for investigating out-of-specification (OOS) test results of chemical composition is discussed. When an OOS test result is identified, it is important to determine its root causes and to avoid reoccurrence of such results. An investigation of the causes based on metrological concepts is proposed. It includes assessment of validation data of the measurement process and its metrological traceability chains, evaluation of measurement uncertainty, and related producer's and consumer's risks. This approach allows distinguishing between OOS test results that indicate an actual change in chemical composition of an analyzed object, and OOS test results that are metrologically related with a certain confidence probability, i.e., caused by measurement problems, while the analyzed object still meets the specification requirements at the time of testing.
Pure and Applied Chemistry, 2000
A soil sampling intercomparison exercise for the ALMERA network
Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 2009
Soil sampling and analysis for radionuclides after an accidental or routine release is a key fact... more Soil sampling and analysis for radionuclides after an accidental or routine release is a key factor for the dose calculation to members of the public, and for the establishment of possible countermeasures. The IAEA organized for selected laboratories of the ALMERA (Analytical Laboratories for the Measurement of Environmental Radioactivity) network a Soil Sampling Intercomparison Exercise (IAEA/SIE/01) with the objective of comparing soil sampling procedures used by different laboratories. The ALMERA network is a world-wide network of analytical laboratories located in IAEA member states capable of providing reliable and timely analysis of environmental samples in the event of an accidental or intentional release of radioactivity. Ten ALMERA laboratories were selected to participate in the sampling exercise. The soil sampling intercomparison exercise took place in November 2005 in an agricultural area qualified as a "reference site", aimed at assessing the uncertainties associated with soil sampling in agricultural, semi-natural, urban and contaminated environments and suitable for performing sampling intercomparison. In this paper, the laboratories sampling performance were evaluated.
Characterisation of a reference site for quantifying uncertainties related to soil sampling
Environmental Pollution, 2004
The paper reports a methodology adopted to face problems related to quality assurance in soil sam... more The paper reports a methodology adopted to face problems related to quality assurance in soil sampling. The SOILSAMP project, funded by the Environmental Protection Agency of Italy (APAT), is aimed at (i) establishing protocols for soil sampling in different environments; (ii) assessing uncertainties associated with different soil sampling methods in order to select the "fit-for-purpose" method; (iii) qualifying, in term of trace elements spatial variability, a reference site for national and international inter-comparison exercises. Preliminary results and considerations are illustrated.
Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 2008
The National Environmental Protection Agency of Italy (APAT) performed a soil sampling intercompa... more The National Environmental Protection Agency of Italy (APAT) performed a soil sampling intercomparison, inviting 14 regional agencies to test their own soil sampling strategies. The intercomparison was carried out at a reference site, previously characterised for metal mass fraction distribution. A wide range of sampling strategies, in terms of sampling patterns, type and number of samples collected, were used to assess the mean mass fraction values of some selected elements. The different strategies led in general to acceptable bias values (D) less than 2s, calculated according to ISO 13258. Sampling on arable land was relatively easy, with comparable results between different sampling strategies.
Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 2008
This paper aims to quantify the soil sampling uncertainty arising from the short-range spatial va... more This paper aims to quantify the soil sampling uncertainty arising from the short-range spatial variability of elemental concentrations in the topsoils of agricultural, semi-natural, and contaminated environments. For the agricultural site, the relative standard sampling uncertainty ranges between 1% and 5.5%. For the semi-natural area, the sampling uncertainties are 2-4 times larger than in the agricultural area. The contaminated site exhibited significant short-range spatial variability in elemental composition, which resulted in sampling uncertainties of 20-30%.
A practical approach to assessment of sampling uncertainty
Accreditation and Quality Assurance, 2002
... Paolo de Zorzi Maria Belli Sabrina Barbizzi Sandro Menegon Andrea Deluisa ... Italy) Univer... more ... Paolo de Zorzi Maria Belli Sabrina Barbizzi Sandro Menegon Andrea Deluisa ... Italy) Università di Pisa, Area della Ricerca CNR Istituto di Chimica del Terreno (Italy) Università ... a) specification of the measu-rand, b) identification of the uncertainty sources, c) quantification of ...
Accreditation and Quality Assurance, 2011
A metrological approach for investigating outof-specification (OOS) test results in long-term sta... more A metrological approach for investigating outof-specification (OOS) test results in long-term stability study of drug products was used. It is shown that OOS test results can indicate an actual change in a measured property of a product or be metrologically related with a certain confidence probability, i.e., be caused by the measurement problems, while the product still meets the quality requirements at the time of testing. As examples, results of testing sodium chloride injections in 500-mL plastic containers and of epinephrine (L-adrenaline) injections in 1-mL ampoules were discussed. Regression analysis of the data was performed, as well as warning and action lines for shelf life of the products calculated for relevant measurement uncertainties and confidence probabilities. Producer's and consumer's risks of the established shelf life values were also estimated.
Accreditation and Quality Assurance, 2010
A metrological background for investigating out-of-specification (OOS) test results of chemical c... more A metrological background for investigating out-of-specification (OOS) test results of chemical composition is discussed. When an OOS test result is identified, it is important to determine its root causes and to avoid reoccurrence of such results. An investigation of the root causes based on metrological concepts would be beneficial. It includes (1) assessment of validation data of the measurement process, (2) evaluation of the measurement uncertainty contributions, and (3) assessment of metrological traceability chains critical for measurement parameters and environmental conditions influencing the test results. The questions, how can the validation data be applied for this investigation, and how can measurement uncertainty contributions and/or metrological traceability chains change a probability of OOS test results, are analyzed.
Accreditation and Quality Assurance, 2007
The measurement of trace-element concentration in soil, sediment and waste, is generally a combin... more The measurement of trace-element concentration in soil, sediment and waste, is generally a combination of a digestion procedure for dissolution of elements and a subsequent measurement of the dissolved elements. "Partial" and "total" digestion methods can be used in environmental monitoring activities. To compare measurement results obtained by different methods, it is crucial to determine and to maintain control of the bias of the results obtained by these methods. In this paper, ICP-MS results obtained after matrix digestion with modified aqua regia (HCl + HNO 3 + H 2 O 2 ) method and two "total" digestion methods (microwave aqua regia + HF and HNO 3 + HF) are compared with those obtained by instrumental neutron activation analysis, a nondestructive analytical method for the determination of the total mass concentrations of inorganic components in environmental matrices. The comparison was carried out on eight agricultural soil samples collected in one test area and measured by k 0 -INAA and ICP-MS to determine As, Co, Cr, Sb and Zn mass concentration. The bias of results for As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sb and Zn of the three digestion methods were assessed using selected measurement standards. This paper highlights that the digestion procedure is an integral part of the measurement and can affect the measurement result in environmental analysis.
Measurement of PAHs in environmental matrices: results from an interlaboratory comparison on the different steps of the measurement procedure
Accreditation and Quality Assurance, 2009
Proficiency testing (PT) is becoming a feature of laboratory accreditation and the PT results are... more Proficiency testing (PT) is becoming a feature of laboratory accreditation and the PT results are used to assess the technical competence of the participating laboratories. ISPRA (former APAT) plays an important role in supporting the Italian laboratories belonging to the network of the Regional Environmental Agencies to improve the quality of their analytical measurements. As a consequence, ISPRA organized an