CEN ISO/TS 16558-2:2015 PDF

Overview

CEN ISO/TS 16558-2:2015 specifies a laboratory method for the quantitative determination of the total extractable semi-volatile petroleum hydrocarbons and their aliphatic and aromatic fractions in field‑moist soil samples using gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC/FID). Results from this method are intended to support risk‑based assessment of petroleum hydrocarbon contamination. The method is applicable for whole fractions in the C10–C40 range (expressed as dry matter) from about 100 mg/kg; lower detection limits for sub‑fractions can be achieved by large‑volume injection or concentrating the final extract.

Key Topics

• Scope & applicability: Semi‑volatile petroleum hydrocarbons in soils; aliphatic and aromatic fractions C10–C40; intended for risk assessment use.
• Sample handling: Guidance on sampling, conservation and pretreatment of field‑moist soil prior to analysis.
• Extraction & fractionation: Procedures for extracting total petroleum hydrocarbons and splitting extracts into aliphatic and aromatic fractions.
• GC/FID determination: System performance checks, calibration, measurement, integration and calculation of total and fraction results.
• Quality control: Blanks, repeatability tests, calibration validation and suitability checks for the split procedure.
• Detection limits & options: Typical applicability from ~100 mg/kg; options to lower limits (large‑volume injection or concentrating extracts).
• Technical clarifications: Informative annexes include example chromatograms, boiling‑range determination and notes on silica‑gel/split techniques.

Applications

This technical specification is used by:

• Environmental testing laboratories for routine quantification of semi‑volatile petroleum hydrocarbons.
• Environmental consultants and site assessors conducting contaminated land risk assessments and due diligence.
• Remediation engineers verifying cleanup performance and validating soil remediation endpoints.
• Regulators and public authorities setting or evaluating site‑specific criteria based on measured hydrocarbon fractions.

Practical applications include brownfield assessment, post‑remediation verification, monitoring of accidental hydrocarbon releases and screening of soils for petroleum contamination prior to redevelopment.

Related Standards

• ISO/TS 16558‑1 - volatile petroleum hydrocarbons (static headspace GC) - complements Part 2 for volatile fractions.
• ISO 16703 - mineral oil determination methods (related extraction techniques).
• ISO 11504 - guidance on fraction choice and use of analytical results in risk assessment.
• ISO 22155 - methods for volatile hydrocarbons.

This CEN‑endorsed ISO/TS provides a harmonized GC/FID procedure to support consistent, comparable soil hydrocarbon data for risk‑based decision making.