Overview - ISO 18400-105:2017 (Soil quality - Sampling - Part 105)
ISO 18400-105:2017 establishes general principles for the packaging, transport, storage and preservation of soil samples and related materials, with emphasis on requirements when chemical analysis (including volatile organic compounds, VOCs) is required. It is part of the ISO 18400 series on soil sampling and is intended to be used together with ISO 18512 (guidance on storage) and other parts of ISO 18400 for task-specific procedures.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and intent: Procedures are adaptable for chemical, biological and physical testing; special sampling purposes are covered in other ISO 18400 parts.
- Incorporation in the sampling plan: Project managers must specify containers, preservation techniques and storage times in consultation with the testing laboratory so samples remain representative.
- Containers: Containers must be compatible with the sample and analytes. Requirements include avoiding contamination, adsorption or volatilization losses. Guidance:
- Plastic tubs (PE/PP) commonly used for non-contaminated soils.
- Do not use plastic bags for organic compound analysis.
- Use inert containers for organics; amber glass may be used if VOCs are absent. For VOCs follow ISO 22155 or DIN 19747.
- Labeling, filling and sealing: Proper labelling, filling procedures and sealing to prevent cross-contamination and loss of analytes.
- Preservation methods: Cooling/freezing, airtight storage, or inert (nitrogen) atmospheres as appropriate; time-sensitive analytes often require analysis within 24 hours or per laboratory requirements.
- Transport and delivery: Minimize time between sampling and analysis; special transport requirements for dry soils, biological tests, DNA/RNA analysis, drill cores, cut soil cylinders and large-volume samples are noted.
- Hazardous samples: Follow specific handling and transport rules for potentially hazardous materials.
Practical applications and users
Who benefits:
- Environmental consultants and contractors conducting site investigations and remediation verification
- Analytical and environmental laboratories that receive and analyse soil samples
- Regulatory bodies and auditors defining sampling quality requirements
- Research institutions, agronomy and forensic teams needing reliable sample integrity
Common use cases:
- Contaminated land assessment (VOC and non-VOC analysis)
- Environmental monitoring and baseline surveys
- Biological and molecular (DNA/RNA) soil testing with controlled preservation
- Long-term soil storage and re-analysis planning
Related standards
- ISO 18512 - Guidance on long and short term storage of soil samples
- ISO 22155 - Gas chromatographic methods for volatile hydrocarbons (static headspace)
- Other parts of ISO 18400 (sampling procedures and specifications)
Keywords: ISO 18400-105, soil sampling, sample preservation, packaging transport storage preservation of samples, VOC, soil quality, laboratory sample handling.
