ISO 15586-2003 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 15586:2003 — Water quality — Determination of trace elements using atomic absorption spectrometry with graphite furnace. This International Standard specifies principles, sample-preparation guidance and a validated electrothermal (graphite furnace) atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) procedure for measurement of trace elements in surface water, ground water, drinking water, wastewater and sediments.

Abstract

ISO 15586:2003 describes procedures for determination of trace levels of Ag, Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Tl, V and Zn by electrothermal atomization (graphite furnace) AAS. It covers required sample handling (preservation, filtration, digestion where appropriate), instrumental technique (small sample volumes, typical 20 µL), approaches for reducing matrix interferences (chemical modifiers, background correction) and gives minimum acceptable detection limits for a 20 µL sample together with quality-control and calibration recommendations.

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard).
• Publication date: October 2003 (Edition 1, 2003‑10).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 13.060.50 — Examination of water for chemical substances / Water quality analysis.
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2003).
• Number of pages: 23 pages (official ISO publication).

Scope

ISO 15586:2003 applies to the determination of low concentrations (trace levels) of selected metallic elements in aqueous environmental matrices (surface water, ground water, drinking water, wastewater) and in sediments when appropriate sample digestion is applied. The method is intended for laboratories performing routine and investigative trace-element determinations where graphite furnace AAS is an appropriate technique. It provides performance characteristics, detection-limit guidance for a 20 µL sample, and recommended procedures to control and correct matrix and spectral interferences.

Key topics and requirements

• Analytes covered: Ag, Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Tl, V, Zn — list and typical working ranges for each element.
• Technique: Electrothermal atomization (graphite furnace) AAS using small sample volumes (typical injection ~20 µL) with optimized temperature programs.
• Detection limits and performance: Minimum acceptable detection limits specified for the standard 20 µL sample; instrument and matrix influence emphasized.
• Sample handling: Guidance on preservation (acidification), filtration, digestion (for sediments and complex matrices) and the use of high‑purity reagents.
• Interferences and mitigation: Matrix effects, spectral and background interferences; use of chemical modifiers, pyrolytic tubes/coatings, background-correction systems (e.g., Zeeman), and standard-addition or matrix-matched calibration.
• Quality control: Calibration strategy, blanks, spikes/ recoveries, reference materials and routine checks to demonstrate method performance for the intended matrix.

Typical use and users

Clinical and environmental testing laboratories, water utilities, environmental regulators, contract testing labs and research groups use ISO 15586:2003 where graphite furnace AAS is chosen for trace‑element determination. It's applied for regulatory monitoring, compliance testing, pollution investigations and research into trace-metal contamination of water and sediments.

Related standards

Regional/adopted versions include EN ISO 15586:2003 / BS EN ISO 15586:2003 and national adoptions (examples shown in standards catalogues). Complementary and alternative methods for trace metals include ICP‑MS and ICP‑OES methods and various EPA methods (for example EPA 200.8 and EPA 6020B) — laboratories commonly reference ISO 15586 alongside these methods depending on instrument availability and regulatory requirements. ISO 15586 was prepared under ISO/TC 147 (water quality) work.

Keywords

Water quality, trace elements, graphite furnace AAS, electrothermal atomization, detection limit, sample preservation, chemical modifiers, matrix interferences, calibration, quality control.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 15586:2003 is an International Standard that specifies procedures for determining selected trace elements in water and sediments using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS).

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the measurement principle, recommended sample handling (preservation, filtration, digestion where needed), instrumental conditions (small sample volumes, temperature programs), methods to control interferences (chemical modifiers, background correction) and minimum detection‑limit guidance for a 20 µL sample.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Environmental and analytical chemistry laboratories, water utilities, regulators and research institutions that perform trace‑metal analysis and require a validated GFAAS procedure for monitoring, compliance or investigative purposes.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 15586:2003 remains the published International Standard from 2003. ISO records show it has undergone periodic reviews and has been confirmed in reviews; users should check national catalogues or ISO for the latest confirmation or withdrawal status before relying on it for regulatory compliance.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of the ISO suite of water‑quality analytical-method standards developed under ISO/TC 147 (water quality). It is commonly used alongside other standards and methods for trace‑metal determination such as ICP and various national/regulatory methods.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Water quality, trace elements, graphite furnace AAS, electrothermal atomization, detection limits, sample preservation, chemical modifier, matrix interference, calibration, quality control.