Estimating uncertainty in analytical procedures based on chromatographic techniques.

Chromatographic techniques are very frequently used in analytical procedures for the separation, determination and identification of a wide spectrum of analytes present in samples with complex and sometimes variable matrices. However, the estimation of uncertainty of the final results does not include the uncertainties associated with the actual chromatographic process. In effect, such results cannot always be treated as a reliable source of analytical information. In this paper we present the basic terms, sources of uncertainty, and methods of calculating the combined uncertainty that any presentation of final determinations should include.