KAT - Soil quality

This document specifies one of the methods for evaluating the habitat function of soils and determining effects of soil contaminants and individual chemical substances on the reproduction of the oribatid mite Oppia nitens by dermal and alimentary uptake. This chronic (28-day) test is applicable to soils and soil materials of unknown quality (e.g., contaminated sites, amended soils, soils after remediation, agricultural or other sites under concern and waste materials). This method is not intended to replace the earthworm or Collembola tests since it represents another taxonomic group (= mites; i.e., arachnids), nor the predatory mite test since this species represents a different trophic level and ecological niche.
Effects of substances are assessed using standard soil, preferably a defined artificial soil substrate. For contaminated soils, the effects are determined in the test soil and in a control soil. According to the objective of the study, the control and dilution substrate (dilution series of contaminated soil) should be either an uncontaminated soil with similar properties to the soil sample to be tested (reference soil) or a standard soil (e.g., artificial soil).
Information is provided on how to use this method for testing substances under temperate conditions.
This document is not applicable to substances for which the air/soil partition coefficient is greater than 1, or to substances with vapour pressure exceeding 300 Pa at 25 °C.
NOTE The stability of the test substance cannot be assured over the test period. No provision is made in the test method for monitoring the persistence of the substance under test.

This European Standard specifies two methods for digestion of soil, treated biowaste, sludge and waste by the use of aqua regia as digestion solution.
This European Standard is applicable for the following elements:
aluminium (Al), antimony (Sb), arsenic (As), barium (Ba), beryllium (Be), bismuth (Bi), boron (B), cadmium (Cd), calcium (Ca), cerium (Ce), cesium (Cs), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), dysprosium (Dy), erbium (Er), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), gallium (Ga), germanium (Ge), gold (Au), hafnium (Hf), holmium (Ho), indium (In), iridium (Ir), iron (Fe), lanthanum (La), lead (Pb), lithium (Li), lutetium (Lu), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), mercury (Hg), molybdenum (Mo), neodymium (Nd), nickel (Ni), palladium (Pd), phosphorus (P), platinum (Pt), potassium (K), praseodymium (Pr), rubidium (Rb), rhenium (Re), rhodium (Rh), ruthenium (Ru), samarium (Sm), scandium (Sc), selenium (Se), silicon (Si), silver (Ag), sodium (Na), strontium (Sr), sulfur (S), tellurium (Te), terbium (Tb), thallium (Tl), thorium (Th), thulium (Tm), tin (Sn), titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), uranium (U), vanadium (V), ytterbium (Yb), yttrium (Y), zinc (Zn), and zirconium (Zr).
This European Standard may also be applicable for the digestion of other elements.
Digestion with aqua regia will not necessarily accomplish total decomposition of the sample. The extracted analyte concentrations may not necessarily reflect the total content in the sample.

This document specifies a method for the determination of the cold and hot water insoluble nitrogen content in solid urea formaldehyde and methylene urea slow-release fertilizers and for the determination of the hot water soluble nitrogen content in nutrient polymers (see Component Material Category CMC 9 as specified in the Regulation (EC) No xxxx/2019 on Fertilizing Products [1]).

This Technical Specification describes an approach for the validation of physico-chemical analytical methods for environmental matrices.
The guidance in this document addresses two different validation approaches, in increasing order of complexity. These are:
a)   method development and validation at the level of single laboratories (intra-laboratory validation);
b)   method validation at the level of several laboratories (between-laboratory or inter-laboratory validation), with a focus on methods that are sufficiently mature and robust to be applied not only by a few expert laboratories but by laboratories operating at the routine level.
The concept of these two approaches is strictly hierarchical, i.e. a method shall fulfil all criteria of the first level before it can enter the validation protocol of the second level.
This Technical Specification is applicable to the validation of a broad range of quantitative physico-chemical analytical methods for the analysis of water (including surface water, groundwater, waste water, and sediment). Analytical methods for other environmental matrices, like soil, sludge, waste, and biota can be validated in the same way. It is intended either for analytical methods aiming at substances that have recently become of interest or for test methods applying recently developed technologies.
The minimal requirements that are indispensable for the characterization of the fitness for purpose of an analytical method are: selectivity, precision, bias and measurement uncertainty. The aim of validation is to prove that these requirements are met.

This document specifies a method for the determination of traces of perchlorate with liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry detection (LC‐MS/MS). The method is applicable to mineral fertilizers.

This document specifies three methods for the digestion of soil, treated biowaste, sludge and waste by the use of an acid mixture composed of hydrochloric (HCl), nitric (HNO3) and tetrafluoroboric (HBF4) or hydrochloric (HCl), nitric (HNO3) and hydrofluoric (HF) acid as the digestion solution.
Digestion with these acids is effectively considered as a total decomposition of the sample. For a broad range of samples the extracted analyte concentrations will reflect the total content in the sample.
This document is applicable for the following elements:
Aluminium (Al), antimony (Sb), arsenic (As), barium (Ba), beryllium (Be), cadmium (Cd), calcium (Ca), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), mercury (Hg), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), selenium (Se), silver (Ag), sodium (Na), strontium (Sr), sulfur (S), tellurium (Te), thallium (Tl), tin (Sn), titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn).
This document can also be applied for the digestion of other elements, provided the user has verified the applicability.

The present document specifies a method for direct extraction of DNA from soil samples to analyse
the abundance and composition of microbial communities by various techniques of molecular biology
including real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). This method is mainly dedicated to agricultural and forest
soils. This method can possibly not be suitable for soils rich in organic matter (e.g. peat soils) or soils
heavily polluted with organic pollutants or heavy metals.
The direct extraction of DNA from soil samples provides unique insight into the α- and β-diversity
of microbial communities. Next-generation sequencing of amplicons obtained by PCR (polymerase
chain reaction) amplification of soil DNA constitutes a promising domain which will in the near future
contribute to the development of routine tools to monitor microbial communities in soil environments.

This document specifies a basic method of determining the particle size distribution applicable to a wide range of mineral soil materials, including the mineral fraction of organic soils. It also offers procedures to deal with the less common soils mentioned in the introduction. This document has been developed largely for use in the field of environmental science, and its use in geotechnical investigations is something for which professional advice might be required.
A major objective of this document is the determination of enough size fractions to enable the construction of a reliable particle-size-distribution curve.
This document does not apply to the determination of the particle size distribution of the organic components of soil, i.e. the more or less fragile, partially decomposed, remains of plants and animals. It is also realized that the chemical pre-treatments and mechanical handling stages in this document could cause disintegration of weakly cohesive particles that, from field inspection, might be regarded as primary particles, even though such primary particles could be better described as aggregates. If such disintegration is undesirable, then this document is not used for the determination of the particle size distribution of such weakly cohesive materials.

This document specifies a method for the measurement of several hydrolase activities (arylamidase, arylsulfatase, β-galactosidase, α-glucosidase, β-glucosidase, N-acetyl-glucosaminidase, acid, alkaline and global phosphatases, urease) simultaneously (or not) in soil samples, using colorimetric substrates. Enzyme activities of soil vary seasonally and depend on soil chemical, physical and biological characteristics. This method can be applied either to detect harmful effects on soil enzyme activities derived from toxic substances or other anthropogenic agents in contaminated soils against a control soil, or to test chemicals.

ISO 18763:2016 describes a technique for determining the effects of soil and soil-related materials on the seed germination and early growth of higher plants. These endpoints are useful indicators for the assessment of the quality of a soil as a habitat for organisms. It is applicable to all soils in which soil organisms are active and may be used to evaluate:
- the effects on plants due to toxicity of solid or liquid chemicals contaminating soil or materials (compost, sludge, waste) and chemicals added to soil;
- the changes in the soil effect on plants after restoration measures.

This International Standard specifies a test method for determining the activity of active aerobic, eterotrophic
microbial biomass in soils. This method is applicable to the monitoring of soil quality and to the evaluation of
the ecotoxic potential of soils and soil materials. It is also applicable for soils sampled along contamination
gradients in the field and to soils that are contaminated experimentally in the field or in the laboratory.

This document specifies a method for the determination of the speed and effectiveness of the neutralizing potential of calcium carbonate, calcium magnesium carbonate and calcium magnesium silicate liming materials by potentiometric titration with hydrochloric acid.
For liming materials coarser than 1 mm, it is essential to prepare the sample of a liming material by following exactly the description of Annex A.
This method is applicable only to liming materials with a maximum particle size of 6,3 mm.
The type of liming material can be identified according to EN 14069 and the particle size can be determined according to EN 12948.

ISO 14239:2017 specifies six suitable incubation systems for measuring the rates and extent of mineralization of organic compounds in soil by measurement of carbon dioxide (CO2) evolution. All incubation systems are applicable to soluble or insoluble compounds but choice of system depends on the overall purposes of the study.
ISO 14239:2017 does not apply to the use of such systems for material balance studies, which are often test-substance specific.

This International Standard specifies a rapid method for the determination of the potential rate of ammonium
oxidation and inhibition of nitrification in soils. This method is suitable for all soils containing a population of
nitrifying microorganisms. It can be used as a rapid screening test for monitoring soil quality and quality of
wastes, and is suitable for testing the effects of cultivation methods, chemical substances [except volatiles,
i.e. H > 1 (Henry’s constant)], extracts of biosolids and pollution in soils.

This International Standard gives guidance on the selection and method of appropriate tests for the determination of biodegradation of organic chemicals in soil samples under anaerobic conditions.

This document specifies a chronic test method for evaluating the habitat function of soils and determining effects of soil contaminants and substances on the reproduction of Hypoaspis aculeifer by ? mainly ? alimentary uptake. This method is applicable to soils and soil materials of unknown quality, e.g. from contaminated sites, amended soils, soils after remediation, industrial, agricultural or other sites under concern and waste materials (e.g. dredged material, municipal sludge from a wastewater treatment plant, composed material, or manure, especially those for possible land disposal). The reproduction (= number of juveniles) is the measured parameter of the test. The test reflects the bioavailability of a mixture of contaminants in natural soils (contaminated site soils) to a species which represents a trophic level which is not covered by other ISO standards. This test is not intended to replace the earthworm (see ISO 11268-2) or Collembola (see ISO 11267) reproduction tests since this species belongs not only to a different trophic group but also a different taxonomic group (= mites; i.e. arachnids) than those used usually.
Effects of substances are assessed using a standard soil, preferably a defined artificial soil substrate. For contaminated soils, the effects are determined in the soil to be tested and in a control soil. Depending on the objective of the study, the control and dilution substrate (dilution series of contaminated soil) are either an uncontaminated soil comparable to the soil to be tested (reference soil) or a standard soil (e.g. artificial soil).
This document provides information on how to use this method for testing samples (soils or substances) under temperate conditions.
This document is not applicable to substances for which the air/soil partition coefficient is greater than one, or to substances with vapour pressure exceeding 300 Pa at 25 °C.
NOTE The stability of the test substance cannot be ensured over the test period. No provision is made in the test method for monitoring the persistence of the substance under test.

The purpose of ISO 29200:2013 is to describe a method for assessing genotoxic effects (chromosome breakage or dysfunction of the mitotic spindle) of soils or soil materials on the secondary roots of a higher plant: Vicia faba (broad bean). This method allows the assessment of genotoxicity (toxicity for genetic material) of soils and soil materials like compost, sludge, waste, fertilizing matters, etc. Two ways of exposure can be considered: a direct exposure of plants to the soil (or soil material) which is relevant for the real genotoxic potential and an exposure of plants to the water extract of the soil (or soil material). This last way of exposure to a leachate or an eluate allows the detection of the mutagens which are not adsorbed to soils and which may be transferred to aquatic compartments. Moreover, this test may be used to evaluate genotoxic effects of chemical substances and to waters, effluents, etc.

ISO 17512-1:2008 specifies a rapid screening method for evaluating the habitat function of soils and the influence of contaminants and chemicals on earthworm behaviour.
The sublethal test is a rapid method that reflects the bioavailability of contaminant mixtures in natural soils and substances spiked into soils to Eisenia fetida and Eisenia andrei. The avoidance behaviour of the worms is the measurement endpoint of the test. This test is not intended to replace the earthworm reproduction test.
Two different designs (a two section unit and a six section unit) have been developed and successfully applied. Both designs are applicable to either single-concentration (e. g. for assessing the quality of a field soil) or multi-concentration (e. g. for assessing the toxicity of a spiked chemical) tests. In both cases, the earthworms are allowed to make the initial choice on which compartment, control and a treatment [in the two section test vessel between right and left side; in the six section test vessel between the (3 + 3) alternating compartments], to enter.

2020-02-13 - waiting TC decision to skip FV.

ISO 17512-2:2011 specifies a rapid screening method for evaluating the habitat function of soils based on the avoidance behaviour of springtails.
The test is a rapid method that reflects the bioavailability of contaminants in natural soils and substances spiked into soils to Folsomia candida. In both cases, it is possible to establish a dose-response-relationship. The avoidance behaviour of the springtails is the measurement endpoint of the test. This test is not intended to replace the Collembola reproduction test.

This European Standard specifies a method for quantitative determination of seven selected polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB28, PCB52, PCB101, PCB118, PCB138, PCB153 and PCB180) in soil, sludge, sediment, treated biowaste and waste and using GC-MS and GC-ECD.
The limit of detection depends on the determinants, the equipment used, the quality of chemicals used for the extraction of the sample and the clean-up of the extract.
Under the conditions specified in this European Standard, lower limit of application from 1 μg/kg (expressed as dry matter) for soils, sludge and biowaste to 10 μg/kg (expressed as dry matter) for solid waste can be achieved. For some specific samples the limit of 10 μg/kg cannot be reached.
Sludge, waste and treated biowaste may differ in properties, as well as in the expected contamination levels of PCBs and presence of interfering substances. These differences make it impossible to describe one general procedure. This European Standard contains decision tables based on the properties of the sample and the extraction and clean-up procedure to be used.
NOTE   For the analysis of PCB in insulating liquids, petroleum products, used oils and aqueous samples is referred to EN 61619, EN 12766–1 and EN ISO 6468 respectively.
The method may be applied to the analysis of other PCB congeners not specified in the scope, provided suitability is proven by proper in-house validation experiments

This document describes a method to compare the quality of soils by determining the fatty acid composition of the leaves of plant species grown in these soils.
This method does not make it possible to determine an optimal value of the Omega-3 index and, therefore, cannot be used to determine the intrinsic quality of a soil from a specific area (regarded as homogeneous). The method can only be used to compare the quality of soils between various areas.
This method is applicable to:
— soils from contaminated sites;
— amended soils;
— soils after remediation;
? soil with waste products (e.g. slurry, manure, sludge or composts).
Alternatively, the quality of soils can be assessed by determining the Omega-3 index of Lactuca sativa seedlings grown in these soils under controlled conditions (i.e. phytotronic chamber) and by comparing these values to those obtained from control soils (see Annex B).

This document provides guidance on developing and using conceptual site models (CSMs) through the various phases of investigation, remediation (if required), and any subsequent construction or engineering works.
It describes what CSMs are, what they are used for and what their constituents are. It stresses the need for an iterative and dynamic approach to CSM development.
This document is intended to be used by all those involved in developing CSMs and by those who rely on using them such as regulators, landowners, developers, and the public (and other relevant parties). Ideally, this includes representatives from all phases of the investigative and remedial processes, for example, preliminary assessment, detailed investigation, baseline human health and environmental risk assessments, and feasibility study, and, any subsequent construction or engineering work.
NOTE 1 This document is applicable whenever the presence of "potentially harmful" or "hazardous" substances are present irrespective of whether they are naturally occurring or present due to human activity (i.e. are "contaminants").
NOTE 2 Although most of the principles described for developing CSMs in this document can apply to other domains, such as groundwater resources management, the present document is specifically written for the management of potentially contaminated sites or known contaminated sites.

This document specifies a protocol to identify ecotoxicological test specimens (mainly invertebrates and plants) to the species level, based on the DNA barcoding technique. This protocol can be used by laboratories performing DNA barcoding in order to standardize both the wet-lab and data analysis workflows as much as possible, and make them compliant with community standards and guidelines.
This document does not intend to specify one particular strain for each test method, but to accurately document the species/strain which was used.
NOTE 1 This does not imply that DNA barcoding is performed in parallel to each test run, but rather regularly (e.g. once a year, such as reference substance testing) and each time a new culture is started or new individuals are added to an ongoing culture.
This document does not aim at duplicating or replacing morphological-based species identifications. On the contrary, DNA barcoding is proposed as a complementary identification tool where morphology is inconclusive, or to diagnose cryptic species, in order to ensure that the results obtained from different ecotoxicological laboratories are referring to the same species or strain.
This document is applicable to identifications of immature forms which lack morphological diagnostic characters (eggs, larvae, juveniles), as well as the streamline identification of specimens collected in field monitoring studies, where large numbers of organisms from diverse taxa are classified.
NOTE 2 In principle, all species regularly used in ecotoxicological testing can be analysed by DNA barcoding. Besides the earthwoms Eisenia fetida and E. andrei, further examples for terrestrial species are Lumbricus terrestris, L. rubellus, Allolobophora chlorotica, Aporrectodea rosea, and A. caliginosa, Dendrodrilus rubidus, Enchytraeus albidus, and E. crypticus (Haplotaxida); Folsomia candida, F. fimetaria, Proisotoma minuta, and Sinella curviseta (Collembola); Hypoaspis aculeifer and Oppia nitens (Acari); Aleochara bilineata and Poecilus cupreus (Coleoptera); Scathophaga stercoraria, Musca autumnalis (Diptera) or Pardosa sp. (Arachnida). Nematodes or snails and even plants can also be added to this list.

This International Standard provides guidance on the selection and conduct of appropriate test methods for
the determination of biodegradation of organic chemicals in aerobic soils. lt does not describe any specific test method.

This European Standard specifies methods for the determination of the parameters pH, ammonium, AOX, As, Ba, Cd, Cl-, easily liberatable CN-, Co, Cr, Cr(VI), Cu, DOC/TOC, electrical conductivity, F-, Hg, Mo, Ni, NO2-, Pb, phenol index, total S, Sb, Se, SO42-, TDS, V and Zn in aqueous eluates for the characterization of waste.

This European Standard describes a method to determine the aerobic biological activity of growing media and soil improvers or constituents thereof by measuring the oxygen uptake rate (OUR). The oxygen uptake rate is an indicator of the extent to which biodegradable organic matter is being broken down within a specified time period. The method is not suitable for material with a content of particle sizes > 10 mm exceeding 20 %.

This Standard specifies a test to obtain information on the short- and long-term leaching behaviour and characteristic properties of materials. The document has been developed to measure the pH- dependent release of inorganic and organic substances from soil and soil-like material as well as to produce eluates for subsequent ecotoxicological testing. For ecotoxicological testing, see ISO 15799 and ISO 17616. The equilibrium condition, as defined in this document, is established by the addition of predetermined amounts of acid or base to reach desired final pH values. The test method produces eluates, which can subsequently be characterized by physical, chemical and ecotoxicological methods in accordance with existing standard methods. The test is not suitable for substances that are volatile under ambient conditions. For the purposes of ecotoxicological tests, the relevant pH range (see 8.2) will usually be pH 5 to pH 9. This test is mainly aimed at being used for routine and control purposes, and it cannot be used alone to describe all leaching properties of a soil. Additional leaching tests are needed for that extended goal. This document does not address issues related to health and safety. It only determines the leaching properties outlined in Clause 5.

This International Standard describes how to digitally exchange soil-related data. It aims to facilitate the exchange of valid, clearly described and specified soil-related data between individuals and organizations via digital systems, and enables any soil data producer, holder or user to find and transfer data in an unambiguous way. This International Standard contains definitions of features, several parameter specifications and encoding rules that allow consistent and retrievable data exchange. It also allows the explicit georeferencing of soil data by building on other International Standards, thus facilitating the use of soil data within geographical information systems (GIS). Because soil data are of various origins and are obtained according to a huge variety of description and classification systems, this International Standard provides no attribute catalogue, but a flexible approach to the unified encoding of soil data by implementing the provisions of ISO 19156 observations and measurements (OM) for use in soil science.

This Standard specifies laboratory methods for determination of the soil water-retention characteristic. This document applies only to measurements of the drying or desorption curve. Four methods are described to cover the complete range of soil water pressures as follows: a) method using sand, kaolin or ceramic suction tables for determination of matric pressures from 0 kPa to -50 kPa; b) method using a porous plate and burette apparatus for determination of matric pressures from 0 kPa to -20 kPa; c) method using a pressurized gas and a pressure plate extractor for determination of matric pressures from -5 kPa to -1 500 kPa; d) method using a pressurized gas and pressure membrane cells for determination of matric pressures from -33 kPa to -1 500 kPa. Guidelines are given to select the most suitable method in a particular case.

This Standard specifies a test providing information on leaching of soil and soil-like materials under the experimental conditions specified hereafter, and particularly at a liquid to solid ratio of 2 l/kg dry matter. The document has been developed to measure the release of inorganic and organic substances from soil and soil-like material as well as to produce eluates for subsequent ecotoxicological testing. For ecotoxicological testing, see ISO 15799[6] and ISO 17616].

This Standard specifies a test providing information on leaching of soil and soil materials under the experimental conditions specified hereafter, and particularly at a liquid to solid ratio of 10 l/kg dry matter. The document has been developed to measure the release of inorganic and organic substances from soil and soil-like material as well as to produce eluates for subsequent ecotoxicological testing. For ecotoxicological testing, see ISO 15799 and ISO 17616].

This Standard rovides guidance on the description of soil in the field and its environmental context. It is applicable to natural, near-natural, urban and industrial sites. The soil observations and measurements can be made on a project site level, on a plot level, on layer or horizon level and on specific soil constituents. It also provides guidance on how to describe layers of anthropogenic (artificial) material or layers that were not modified by pedogenic processes in the strict sense and how to describe coarse material of natural or artificial origin. This document can be used in combination with other publications that provide guidance or requirements regarding specific aspects of soil observations and measurements.

This Standard specifies a test, which is aimed at determining the leaching behaviour of inorganic and organic substances from a soil and soil-like materials. The method is a once-through up-flow percolation test under standardized conditions of flow rate. The material is leached under dynamic hydraulic conditions. The document has been developed to measure the release of inorganic and organic substances from soil and soil-like material as well as to produce eluates for subsequent ecotoxicological testing. For ecotoxicological testing, see ISO 15799[6] and ISO 17616[7]. The test results enable the distinction between different release patterns, for instance wash-out and release under the influence of interaction with the matrix, when approaching local equilibrium between material and leachant. This test method produces eluates, which can subsequently be characterized by physical, chemical and ecotoxicological methods in accordance with existing standard methods. The results of eluate analysis are presented as a function of the liquid/solid (L/S) ratio. The test is not suitable for substances that are volatile under ambient conditions.

This Standard specifies a method for sampling, handling and extracting enchytraeids from terrestrial field soils as a prerequisite for using these animals as bioindicators (e.g. to assess the quality of a soil as a habitat for organisms). Basic information on the ecology of enchytraeids and their use as bioindicators in the terrestrial environment is included in the Bibliography. This document applies to all terrestrial biotopes in which enchytraeids occur. The sampling design of field studies in general is given in ISO 18400-101. These details can vary according to the climatic/ regional conditions of the site to be sampled and an overview on the determination of effects of pollutants on enchytraeids in field situations is given in Reference [6]. Methods for some other soil organism groups such as earthworms or arthropods are given in ISO 23611-1, ISO 23611-2, ISO 23611-4 and ISO 23611-5. This document is not applicable for very wet or flooded soils and might be difficult to use under extreme climatic or geographical conditions (e.g. in high mountains). When sampling soil invertebrates, it is highly recommendable to characterize the site (e.g. concerning soil properties, climate and land use). However, such a characterization is not covered by this document. ISO 10390, ISO 10694, ISO 11272, ISO 11274, ISO 11277, ISO 11461 and ISO 11465 are more suitable for measuring pH, particle size distribution, C/N ratio, organic carbon content and water-holding capacity.

This document specifies a method for the determination of traces of perchlorate in mineral fertilizers by ion chromatography and conductivity detection (IC-CD).

ISO 16772:2004 specifies a method for the determination of mercury in an aqua regia extract of soil, obtained in accordance with ISO 11464 and ISO 11466, using cold-vapour atomic absorption spectrometry or cold-vapour atomic fluorescence spectrometry. The limit of determination of the method is at least 0,1 mg/kg.

This International Standard specifies the quantitative determination of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) according to the priority list of the Environmental Protection Agency, USA (EPA, 1982). This International Standard is applicable to all types of soil (field-moist or chemically dried samples), covering a wide range of PAH contamination levels.
Under the conditions specified in this International Standard, a lower limit of application of 0,01 mg/kg
(expressed as dry matter) can be ensured for each individual PAH.

This International Standard specifies a method for quantitative determination of seven polychlorinated biphenyls
and seventeen organochlorine pesticides in soil.
This International Standard is applicable to all types of soil.
Under the conditions specified in this International Standard, limits of detection of 0,1 μg/kg to 4 μg/kg (expressed
as dry matter) can be achieved.

ISO 14507:2003 specifies three methods for the pretreatment of soil samples in the laboratory prior to the determination of organic contaminants:
if volatile organic compounds are to be measured;
if moderately volatile to non-volatile organic compounds are to be measured, if the result of the subsequent analysis must be accurate and reproducible, and if the sample contains particles larger than 2 mm and/or the contaminant is heterogeneously distributed;
if non-volatile organic compounds are to be measured and the extraction procedure prescribes a field-moist sample, or if the largest particles of the sample are smaller than 2 mm and the contaminant is homogeneously distributed. This procedure is also applicable if reduced accuracy and repeatability are acceptable.
The pretreatment described in ISO 14507:2003 is used in combination with an extraction procedure in which the contaminant is available for the extraction liquid.
NOTE For the pretreatment of soil samples for the purposes of determining non-volatile inorganic compounds and physico-chemical soil characteristics, see ISO 11464.

This International Standard describes the determination of trace elements in digests or extraction solutions
from soil by inductively coupled plasma - atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) for 34 elements (see
Table 1).
This multi-element determination method is applicable to soil extracts obtained with aqua regia in accordance
with ISO 11466, with DTPA in accordance with ISO 14870 or other weak extractants, or soil extracts for the
determination of total element contents using the acid digestion method of ISO 14869-1 or the fusion method
of ISO 14869-2.
The choice of calibration method depends on the extractant and can be adapted to the extractant
concentration.

This Technical Specification specifies a method for the determination of the following elements in aqua
regia or nitric acid digests or other extraction solutions of sludge, treated biowaste and soil:
Aluminium (Al), antimony (Sb), arsenic (As), barium (Ba), beryllium (Be), bismuth (Bi), boron
(B), cadmium (Cd), calcium (Ca), cerium (Ce), cesium (Cs), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu),
dysprosium (Dy), erbium (Er), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), gallium (Ga), germanium (Ge), gold (Au),
hafnium (Hf), holmium (Ho), indium (In), iridium (Ir), iron (Fe), lanthanum (La), lead (Pb), lithium (Li),
lutetium (Lu), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), mercury (Hg), molybdenum (Mo), neodymium (Nd),
nickel (Ni), palladium (Pd), phosphorus (P), platinum (Pt), potassium (K), praseodymium (Pr), rhenium
(Re), rhodium (Rh), rubidium (Rb), ruthenium (Ru), samarium (Sm), scandium (Sc), selenium (Se),
silicon (Si), silver (Ag), sodium (Na), strontium (Sr), sulfur (S), tellurium (Te), terbium (Tb), thallium
(Tl), thorium (Th), thulium (Tm), tin (Sn), titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), uranium (U), vanadium (V),
ytterbium(Yb), yttrium (Y), zinc (Zn) and zirconium (Zr).
The working range depends on the matrix and the interferences encountered.
The limit of detection is between 0,1 mg/kg dry matter and 2,0 mg/kg dry matter for most elements.
The limit of detection will be higher in cases where the determination is likely to have interferences (see
Clause 4) or in the case of memory effects (see e.g. 8.2 of ISO 17294-1:2004).

This International Standard specifies a method for microwave-assisted extraction of elements from samples
using aqua regia as the extraction solution for the determination of elements. This method is applicable to all
types of soil and soil material.
Aqua regia extraction is suitable for the release of trace and major element fractions in soil. Aqua regia is not
suitable for the extraction of elements from refractory compounds, such as SiO2, TiO2 and Al2O3.
The extraction with aqua regia is operationally defined and will not necessarily release all elements completely.
The microwave method is generic and can be implemented using a wide variety of equipment, provided:
a) the extraction mixture ratio is unchanged;
b) the extraction temperature is known.
Solutions produced by the microwave method are suitable for analysis, for example, by using atomic
absorption spectrometry (flame: FAAS, hydride generation: HGAAS, cold vapour: CVAAS, graphite furnace;
GFAAS), inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry (ICP/OES) and inductively coupled plasma mass
spectrometry (ICP/MS).
NOTE Due to the presence of chloride in the extraction solution, limitations for the application of analytical
techniques can occur.

ISO 13876:2013 specifies a method for quantitative determination of seven selected polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB28, PCB52, PCB101, PCB118, PCB138, PCB153, and PCB180) in sludge, treated biowaste, and soil using GC-MS and GC-ECD.

The flash point test can be summarised as a procedure where a test portion is introduced into a temperature controlled test cup and an ignition source is applied to the vapours produced by the test portion to determine if the vapour / air mixture is flammable or at what temperature the vapour / air mixture is flammable.
This document is not intended to be a comprehensive manual on flash point tests and the interpretation of test results, however it covers the key aspects on these subjects.

This European Standard defines terms relating to liming materials.
An index of all terms defined in this part of EN 12944, with their French and German equivalents is given in Annex A.
A general index of all terms defined in all three parts of EN 12944, with their French and German equivalents, is given in Annex B.

This European Technical Specification specifies a method for the determination of the lime requirement of acid soils to target pH levels at requested time of maintenance as determined by reaction with 0,1 mol/l ammonium acetate pH 5,5.
Due to general soil buffering systems, the method is applicable to all soils which are acid enough to dissociate hydrogen ions from the soil colloid system to depress the pH of the buffer solution.