ISO 16558-1:2015

Overview

ISO 16558-1:2015 is an international standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) that establishes a precise method for the quantitative determination of volatile petroleum hydrocarbons in soil. Specifically, this standard details procedures for identifying and quantifying aliphatic and aromatic fractions of volatile petroleum hydrocarbons within field-moist soil samples. The analytical method is based on gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometric detection, using a static headspace extraction technique.

The ability to separate and measure both the volatile aliphatic (C5 to C10) and aromatic (C6 to C10) fractions is critical for accurate environmental risk assessment in cases of soil contamination with petroleum hydrocarbons, such as fuel spills or industrial leaks.

Key Topics

• Scope of the Method

  • Quantitative determination of total extractable volatile, aliphatic, and aromatic hydrocarbons in soil
  • Focus on hydrocarbons with boiling points between 36 °C and 184 °C
  • Covers n-alkanes (C5H12 to C10H22), isoalkanes, cycloalkanes, BTEX, and di-/tri-alkyl benzenes

• Analytical Technology

  • Gas chromatography (GC) with static headspace extraction
  • Mass spectrometric (MS) detection for reliable identification and quantification

• Fraction Differentiation

  • Differentiates between volatile oil (sum of aliphatic C5–C10 and aromatic C6–C10 fractions)
  • Quantifies individual aromatic compounds for detailed risk evaluations

• Applicability and Limits

  • Suitable for detecting hydrocarbon contents down to 5 mg/kg of dry soil
  • Capable of analyzing both moist and dry soil samples with appropriate sample handling

• Sample Collection and Preservation

  • Emphasizes minimizing volatile loss during sampling (e.g., immediate methanol addition or coring techniques)
  • Storage recommendations to prevent degradation prior to analysis

Applications

ISO 16558-1:2015 is widely applied in environmental monitoring, site investigations, and risk assessment associated with petroleum hydrocarbon contamination. Its main applications include:

• Environmental Site Assessment

  • Assessing soil after oil spills, fuel leaks, or during brownfield redevelopment
  • Identifying contamination hotspots and the extent of volatile petroleum hydrocarbon distribution

• Regulatory Compliance

  • Supporting compliance with soil quality standards for petroleum hydrocarbons
  • Providing data for remediation planning and regulatory reporting

• Risk-based Remediation

  • Helping determine the potential risk to human health and the environment by quantifying key toxic fractions (e.g., BTEX)
  • Supplying robust data for decision-making on remedial actions

• Laboratory Use

  • Standardizes analytical procedures across laboratories for consistent and reliable results
  • Facilitates comparability of test outcomes nationally and internationally

Related Standards

• ISO/TS 16558-2:

  • Companion standard for the determination of semi-volatile aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbon fractions in soil

• ISO 22155

  • Gas chromatographic determination of volatile aromatic and halogenated hydrocarbons and selected ethers

• ISO 16703

  • Method for the determination of mineral oil hydrocarbons in soils

• ISO 8466-1

  • Guidance on statistical evaluation for calibration in analysis

• ISO 11465

  • Provides the gravimetric method for determining dry matter and water content of soil

• ISO 18512

  • Guidelines for storage of soil samples to preserve integrity before analysis

By following ISO 16558-1:2015, laboratories and environmental professionals can ensure accurate, risk-based assessment of volatile petroleum hydrocarbon contamination in soil, leading to informed remediation and compliance decisions. This standardization enhances the quality, consistency, and comparability of soil contamination data worldwide.