Fitting Nonlinear Calibration Curves: No Models Perfect

The study of the calibration of a series of compounds of environmental concern (six perfluoroalkyl compounds (perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and five perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids), three preservatives (methyl-, ethyl- and propylparabens) and the brominated flame retardant hexabromocyclododecane) by LC-MS/MS has been carries out, with a view to their simultaneous determination in samples of environmental interest. In some cases nonlinear calibration curves are obtained, but restricting the concentration range a linear model may be used to fit the data. Residual analysis has been performed in order to verify which models fit the data better, opting for a compromise decision given the apparent complexity of residuals plots. As Box states there are no perfect models (but models that work better than others).