Detection limit的意思

"Detection limit" is a term used in various scientific fields, particularly in analytical chemistry and environmental science, to describe the lowest concentration of a substance that can be detected and distinguished from the background noise or signal of a given analytical method. It is also known as the limit of detection (LOD) or detection threshold.

The detection limit is an important parameter in analytical methods because it determines the sensitivity of the method. It is often expressed as the concentration of the analyte that gives a signal that is statistically significantly different from the noise level of the method. The detection limit can be influenced by many factors, including the type of analytical instrumentation used, the quality of the sample preparation, and the specificity of the analytical method.

In environmental science, the detection limit is important for determining the presence of pollutants or contaminants in water, soil, or air samples. In analytical chemistry, it is used to determine the concentration of a substance in a sample, such as a drug or a metabolite in a biological sample.

The detection limit is typically determined by analyzing samples with known low concentrations of the analyte and determining the concentration at which the signal from the analyte can no longer be distinguished from the background noise. The detection limit is often expressed as a concentration or a signal-to-noise ratio.