ISO 22155:2016

Overview

ISO 22155:2016 - Soil quality - Gas chromatographic determination of volatile aromatic and halogenated hydrocarbons and selected ethers - Static headspace method - specifies a validated laboratory procedure for measuring volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in soil using static headspace sampling coupled with gas chromatography (GC). The method is applicable to all soil types and covers sampling, methanol extraction, headspace equilibration, GC analysis, calibration and quantification using internal standards.

Key searchable terms: ISO 22155:2016, soil quality, static headspace, gas chromatography, volatile aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile halogenated hydrocarbons, MTBE, TAME, GC-FID, GC-ECD, GC-MS.

Key technical topics and requirements

• Sample collection and preservation: Procedures to minimise loss of volatiles - undisturbed sampling with a tube corer or rapid field addition of methanol (vials pre-filled with methanol).
• Extraction solvent: Methanol is specified for soil extraction; solvent purity (grade) directly affects limits of quantification (LOQ).
• Static headspace preparation: Aliquot of methanol extract is sealed in headspace vial with defined water amount and thermostatted to equilibrium (recommended range 50 °C to 80 °C).
• Chromatographic analysis: Headspace injection to an appropriate capillary column. Detection options include GC–FID, GC–ECD, GC–MS (selected ion monitoring), PID, ELCD.
• Limits of quantification (LOQ): Typical LOQs (dry-matter basis) under specified conditions:
  • GC–FID: volatile aromatic hydrocarbons ~ 0.2 mg/kg; MTBE and TAME ~ 0.5 mg/kg
  • GC–ECD: volatile halogenated hydrocarbons 0.01 mg/kg to 0.2 mg/kg
  • Lower LOQs achievable for some analytes using GC–MS (selected ion detection) (see Annex D).
• Identification and confirmation: For non‑specific detectors (FID, ECD), identity confirmation requires analysis on a column of different polarity or by GC–MS in a single run.
• Quality controls: Blank determinations, internal standards, multi-point calibration, and performance checks (Annexes A–D) are specified.

Practical applications and users

• Environmental analytical laboratories performing regulatory or contract testing for soil contamination.
• Soil scientists and environmental consultants assessing petroleum- and solvent‑related contamination.
• Remediation contractors and site managers monitoring volatile hydrocarbon and ether concentrations during site investigation and cleanup.
• Regulatory agencies and compliance auditors using standardised methods for reporting VOC concentrations in soil.

Benefits: standardised sampling/extraction workflow, traceable quantification across labs, and guidance for selecting detectors to meet required LOQs.

Related standards

• ISO 10381-1, ISO 10381-2 (soil sampling guidance)
• ISO 11465 (dry matter and water content)
• ISO 15680 (water quality - GC methods)
• ISO 18512, ISO 22892 (sample storage and GC–MS identification guidance)

ISO 22155:2016 delivers a robust, repeatable static headspace GC method tailored for volatile aromatic, halogenated hydrocarbons and selected ethers in soils, helping labs achieve reliable, comparable soil quality data.