ISO 22155:2011 specifies a static headspace method for quantitative gas chromatographic determination of volatile aromatic and halogenated hydrocarbons and selected aliphatic ethers in soil.

ISO 22155:2011 is applicable to all types of soil.

The limit of determination 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 ISO 22155:2011, the following limits of determination apply (expressed on the basis of dry matter):

Typical limit of determination when using gas chromatography/flame ionization detection (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 determination when using gas chromatography/electron capture detection (GC/ECD):

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

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