Development of new techniques, enabling simultaneous determination of large numbers of elements in environmental samples, can force analysts to use certified reference materials that do not contain all the elements of interest. In this paper, the mass fractions of forty‐six major and trace elements, including rare earth elements (REE), are presented in one soil (NCS DC 77302 also known as GBW 07410) and five sediment (Metranal‐1, IAEA 405, MESS‐3, NCS DC 73309 also known as GBW 07311 and NCS DC 75301 also known as GBW 07314) certified reference materials determined by high resolution inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry. The selected certified materials represent a spectrum of geological matrices often analysed in environmental studies. Measured elements include certified elements, elements listed with information values as well as new elements absent from certificates, including REEs and some other elements. REE + Y mass fractions in the river sediment reference material Metranal‐1 are reported for the first time. The results obtained are in agreement with available certified or information values.

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Abstract:The Labin City area has represented the major Croatian coal mining, metal industry and coal-fired electricity centre for more than two centuries. The domestic superhigh-organic-sulphur (SHOS) Raša coal is a unique variety compared to other coal types worldwide, based on its highest organic sulphur values, up to 11%. It was utilised in the Plomin coal-fired power plant during the period 1970-2000, and was replaced by an imported low-S coal afterwards. This paper presents the levels of S, Se, V, U, Hg, Sr, Cd, Cr, Pb, Cu and Zn in the two coal types, their bottom ash, seawater and plant (clover, mushroom and foliage) specimens collected from the Labin City area, while the sulphate was measured in surface stream water. Their levels were compared with relevant legislative as well as the published data from different world localities. Data analysis was interpreted in the context of past and recent coal combustion activities.