Overview
EN ISO 23161:2018 - titled Soil quality - Determination of selected organotin compounds - Gas‑chromatographic method - is a CEN-adopted ISO standard that defines a gas‑chromatographic (GC) procedure for the identification and quantification of selected organotin compounds (OTCs) in soils. The method is also applicable to sediments, sludges and wastes (soil-like materials). The standard includes procedural requirements from sampling and extraction through derivatization, clean‑up, chromatographic separation and detection. The typical limit of quantification (LOQ) for each compound is about 10 µg/kg; the working range depends on the detection technique used and the sample mass.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and applicability: Soil and soil‑like matrices (sediment, sludge, wastes) for selected OTCs as referenced in the standard’s Table 1.
- Sample pretreatment and extraction: Options include acidic extraction with derivatization and alkaline in‑situ derivatization; additional pretreatment choices are described.
- Derivatization: Required to convert organotins into GC‑amenable derivatives prior to analysis.
- Clean‑up: Procedures using silica gel or aluminium oxide clean‑up columns to remove interferences.
- Chromatographic analysis: Gas chromatographic separation with recommended instrumental conditions; detection by appropriate detectors (e.g., GC‑MS) for identification and quantification.
- Calibration and quantification: Use of aqueous/multicomponent calibration solutions and internal standards; quantification approaches and reporting of recovery rates.
- Performance and validation: Annexes provide performance data, validation guidance, and typical instrumental conditions; reporting requirements and test report content are specified.
- Safety and competence: Emphasizes use by suitably qualified laboratory staff and adherence to laboratory safety practices.
Applications and users
This standard is intended for:
- Environmental testing laboratories performing monitoring of soil contamination by organotin compounds.
- Regulatory agencies and authorities setting compliance and environmental quality benchmarks.
- Environmental consultants and remediation contractors conducting site assessments and post‑remediation verification.
- Research institutions studying organotin fate, transport and ecological impact.
Practical uses include baseline site investigations, contaminated land assessments, sediment monitoring, waste characterization and verifying remediation effectiveness.
Related standards
- ISO 23161:2018 is the international reference; endorsed as EN ISO 23161:2018 by CEN.
- Cross‑references in the standard include sampling and storage practices (e.g., ISO/TS and ISO series on environmental sampling) and GC/MS identification guidance provided in annexes.
Keywords: EN ISO 23161:2018, organotin compounds, soil quality, gas‑chromatographic method, OTCs, GC‑MS, derivatization, LOQ 10 µg/kg, sediments, sludges, environmental testing.