Overview
EN ISO 15586:2003 - Water quality: Determination of trace elements using atomic absorption spectrometry with graphite furnace specifies principles and procedures for measuring low concentrations of trace metals in water and sediments using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) with electrothermal atomization in a graphite furnace. The method covers 17 elements (Ag, Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Tl, V and Zn) in surface water, groundwater, drinking water, wastewater and sediments. The standard defines sample preparation (preservation, filtration, digestion), measurement, calibration and reporting, and gives minimum acceptable detection limits for a 20 µl sample volume.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Analytes covered: Ag, Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Tl, V, Zn.
- Technique: Electrothermal atomization (graphite furnace) AAS - small sample volumes (typical 20 µl) for trace measurements.
- Detection limits & working ranges: The standard specifies minimum detection limits for a 20 µl sample (e.g., Cd ≈ 0.1 µg/L, As ≈ 1 µg/L, Pb ≈ 1 µg/L, Zn ≈ 0.5 µg/L) and gives characteristic masses and optimum working ranges per element.
- Sample handling: Preservation by acidification, filtration, and digestion (including sediment digestion) when required. High‑purity reagents (Grade 1 water, concentrated HNO3/HCl) are mandated for preparation.
- Interferences & mitigation: Matrix effects (e.g., chloride volatility causing losses), spectral/background interferences; use of chemical modifiers, pyrolytic coatings, background correction (including Zeeman), optimized temperature programs and standard addition calibration are described.
- Quality control: Calibration, calculation, precision assessment, and reporting requirements are included. Annexes provide stock solution preparation, sediment digestion procedures, and example instrument settings.
Applications and users
EN ISO 15586:2003 is intended for:
- Environmental and water testing laboratories performing trace metals analysis.
- Regulatory agencies and compliance monitoring programs for drinking water and environmental quality.
- Water utilities, consultancy firms and researchers needing validated AAS graphite furnace methods for low‑level element determination.
Practical uses include routine monitoring, pollution incident investigation, sediment contamination studies and baseline surveys.
Related standards
Normative references and complementary standards include:
EN ISO 15586:2003 provides a validated AAS graphite furnace protocol for reliable, low‑level trace element determination in water quality monitoring and sediment analysis.
