ISO 10566-1994 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 10566:1994 — Water quality — Determination of aluminium — Spectrometric method using pyrocatechol violet. This International Standard specifies a photometric/spectrometric colour‑forming method for measuring filterable (dissolved) and acid‑soluble aluminium in potable, ground and lightly polluted surface and seawaters using pyrocatechol violet as the complexing reagent.

Abstract

The method is applicable to potable waters, ground waters and lightly polluted surface and sea waters. It provides two measurement ranges: a low range (up to 100 µg/L Al) using 50 mm optical path cells and a high range (up to 500 µg/L Al) using 10 mm cells. Typical limit of detection is about 2 µg/L when using 50 mm cells and a 25 mL test portion. The procedure describes reagents, sample preparation, measurement, calibration and expression of results for routine laboratory determination of aluminium by spectrophotometry.

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard; confirmed under periodic review).
• Publication date: 1994-12 (Edition 1, approved 15 December 1994).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 13.060.50 — Examination of water for chemical substances / Water quality.
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (1994).
• Number of pages: 5.

Scope

ISO 10566:1994 covers a spectrometric (photometric) procedure in which aluminium in water forms a coloured complex with pyrocatechol violet at the specified pH and is measured by absorbance. The method is intended for dissolved/filterable aluminium and acid‑soluble aluminium in drinking water, groundwater and relatively uncontaminated surface and sea water. It defines reagent preparation, test portion sizes, optical cell path lengths, calibration and limits of detection and quantification for routine laboratory use.

Key topics and requirements

• Analyte: aluminium (filterable/dissolved and acid‑soluble fractions).
• Principle: formation of a coloured aluminium–pyrocatechol violet complex and photometric measurement at the specified wavelength.
• Measurement ranges: low range up to ~100 µg/L (50 mm cell) and high range up to ~500 µg/L (10 mm cell).
• Limit of detection: approximately 2 µg/L with a 50 mm optical path and 25 mL test portion (instrument‑dependent).
• Required apparatus and reagents: spectrophotometer/photometer, optical cells/cuvettes of specified path lengths, pyrocatechol violet reagent and pH control.
• Calibration, blanks and quality control: calibration with aluminium standards, blank corrections and routine QC checks to ensure accuracy and traceability.
• Reporting: expression of results in mass concentration (µg/L) with stated detection/quantification limits and any dilutions applied.

Typical use and users

This standard is used by environmental and water‑testing laboratories, public‑health laboratories, water utilities, environmental consultants, regulators and research organizations for routine monitoring of aluminium in drinking water, groundwater and relatively clean surface waters. It is especially useful where spectrophotometric equipment is available and cost‑effective low‑level aluminium monitoring is required.

Related standards

Relevant complementary and alternative standards include the ISO 5667 series (sampling guidance for water to ensure representative samples for chemical analyses), ISO 11885 (determination of selected elements including aluminium by ICP‑OES) and ISO 17294 (ICP‑MS application for selected elements, including aluminium). These standards cover sampling, alternative instrumental methods and broader multi‑element analyses that laboratories may use alongside or instead of the pyrocatechol violet photometric procedure depending on sensitivity, throughput and instrumentation.

Keywords

aluminium; water quality; spectrometric method; pyrocatechol violet; spectrophotometry; photometric determination; detection limit; optical path length; drinking water analysis; environmental monitoring.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 10566:1994 is an International Standard that specifies a spectrometric (photometric) method using pyrocatechol violet for the determination of aluminium in potable, ground and lightly polluted surface and sea waters.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the analytical principle, reagents, sample sizes, optical cell path lengths, calibration procedures, measurement ranges (low and high) and limits of detection for routine laboratory determination of dissolved and acid‑soluble aluminium by formation of an aluminium–pyrocatechol violet coloured complex and photometric measurement.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Environmental and drinking‑water testing laboratories, water utilities, regulators, environmental consultants and researchers performing routine aluminium monitoring where spectrophotometric methods are appropriate.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 1994 edition is the published International Standard and, according to ISO records, was reviewed and confirmed in periodic review processes (confirmed in 2021). Users should check the latest ISO catalogue or their national standards body to verify current status before relying on the method for regulatory compliance or procurement decisions.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of ISO’s body of water‑quality standards (ISO/TC 147 work) and is commonly used alongside related parts of the ISO 5667 sampling series and instrumental methods standards such as ISO 11885 (ICP‑OES) and ISO 17294 (ICP‑MS) for metal determinations in water.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Aluminium; pyrocatechol violet; spectrophotometry; water quality; detection limit; optical path length; drinking water analysis; environmental monitoring.