scope:

This International Standard specifies a static headspace method for quantitative gas chromatographic determination of volatile aromatic and halogenated hydrocarbons and selected aliphatic ethers in soil.

This International Standard is applicable to all types of soil.

The limit of quantification is dependent on the detection system used and the quality of the methanol grade used for the extraction of the soil sample.

Under the conditions specified in this International Standard, the following limits of quantifications apply (expressed on basis of dry matter). Typical limit of quantification when using GC-FID:

- volatile aromatic hydrocarbons: 0,2 mg/kg;

- aliphatic ethers as methyl tert.-butyl ether(MTBE) and tert.-amyl methyl ether (TAME): 0,5 mg/kg.

Typical limit of quantification when using GC-ECD:

- volatile halogenated hydrocarbons: 0,01 mg/kg to 0,2 mg/kg.

Lower limits of quantification for some compounds can be achieved by using mass spectrometry (MS) with selected ion detection (see Annex D).