Suomen ympäristökeskus

 

This document specifies a method for quantitative determination of various perfluorinated hydrocarbons by means of High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry in soil, sludge, sediment and waste (see Table 1). For many substances to which this document applies a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0,1 to 10 µg/kgdm can be achieved. See also Annex D for more information regarding the LOQ’s reachable. The method can be applied to the analysis of additional PFAS not specified in the scope, if validity is proven by proper in-house validation protocols, particularly for volatile compounds that may be lost during preparation. For each target compound all, branched and non-branched are quantified together. In this method the amount of linear and branched PFAS is quantified using the response factor of the linear PFAS in the calibration standard and the total area of the linear and branched PFAS (Annex C gives more explanation). Alternatively, the linear isomer and sum of branched isomers may be quantified separately and the sum of both can be calculated provided a complete separation of the linear isomer from the branched isomers is obtained. All compounds of Table 1 were tested during an international inter laboratory trial in Europe in the period December 2023 to April 2024. The table specifies for which the criteria of an interlaboratory standard deviation (CVR) of 50 % was not reached. See Annex D for more details. The validity of the procedure has been proven for soil, sediment and sludge samples and for a selection of waste samples. For other waste types than mentioned in Annex D the laboratory shall validate the suitability of the procedure of this standard.

 

This document specifies a method for quantitative determination of various perfluorinated hydrocarbons by means of High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry in soil, sludge, sediment and waste (see Table 1). For many substances to which this document applies a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.1 to 10 µg/kgdm can be achieved. The method can be applied to the analysis of additional PFAS not specified in the scope, if validity is proven by proper in-house validation protocols. For each target compound both, eventually occurring branched, isomers and the respective non-branched isomer are quantified together. In this method the amount of linear and branched PFAS is quantified using the response factor of the linear PFAS in the calibration standard and the total area of the linear and branched PFAS (Annex 1 gives more explanation)

 

This document provides a generic description of the methods available for measuring soil characteristics and indicators of core ecological soil functions. No distinction of context is made, i.e. no differentiation of land use and management (e.g agricultural, forest, urban, natural or contaminated lands). For each ecological soil function, the document specifically lists biotic and abiotic characteristics that can be measured. It focuses on characteristics and indicators that are either available as ISO documents or published in peer-reviewed papers. This document applies to ecological soil functions and is not applied to soil functions such as geotechnical functions (foundation support for buildings, tunnels, etc.) or geothermal functions. Indeed, ecosystem services do not address soils without a topsoil, or with a covered topsoil (buildings, infrastructure, greenhouse farming, solar panel parks). Methods and indicators for ecological soil functions can help in the assessment of soil-related ecosystem services but the overall assessment of ecosystem services is not covered in this document. Other methods based on proxy indicators (e.g. soil occupation, hydrography parameters) can also be used for land planning at large scale. These indicators are not included in this document.

 

This document describes a highly specific method for the enumeration of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in water. The method is based on membrane filtration, subsequent culture at 44 °C on a chromogenic agar medium containing a chromogenic ingredient for the detection of the enzyme ß-glucuronidase, and calculation of the number of target organisms in the sample. Because of the high specificity of the method, this document is suitable for waters with high levels of background bacteria, such as surface waters including bathing water and wastewater. E. coli strains which do not grow at 44 °C and those that are ß-glucuronidase negative, such as E. coli O157, will not be detected as E. coli by this method.

 

This document specifies a test method for the determination of gross beta activity concentration in non-saline waters. The method covers non-volatile radionuclides with maximum beta energies of approximately 0,3 MeV or higher. Measurement of low energy beta emitters (e.g. 3H, 228Ra, 210Pb, 14C, 35S and 241Pu) and some gaseous or volatile radionuclides (e.g. radon and radioiodine) might not be included in the gross beta quantification using the test method described in this document. This test method is applicable to the analysis of raw and drinking waters. The range of application depends on the amount of total soluble salts in the water and on the performance characteristics (background count rate and counting efficiency) of the counter used. It is the laboratory's responsibility to ensure the suitability of this method for the water samples tested.

 

This document describes a highly specific method for the enumeration of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in water. The method is based on membrane filtration followed by culture at 44 °C on chromogenic agar medium containing an ingredient for the detection of the enzyme ß-glucuronidase, and calculation of the number of target organisms in the sample[5,6,13]. Because of the high specificity of the method, this document is suitable for waters with high levels of background bacteria, such as surface waters including bathing water and wastewater provided that they contain little particulate or colloidal matter relative to the E. coli concentration. The method can be used for fresh water and, with an adaptation, for marine water. E. coli strains which do not grow at 44 °C and those that are ß-glucuronidase negative, such as E. coli O157, will not be detected as E. coli by this method. This method is not applicable to the enumeration and detection of coliform bacteria other than E. coli.

 

This document specifies the measurement method for the determination of total activity concentration of uranium isotopes in non-saline waters by extraction and liquid scintillation counting. This method covers the measurement of soluble uranium isotopes in water in activity concentrations between approximately 2·10-3 Bq/kg and 10 Bq/kg when analysing a 1 l test sample volume with a 60 000 s counting time with a typical alpha LSC instrument. The ratio 234U/238U can also be determined. This method has not been tested for the measurement of other uranium isotopes.

 

This document specifies a test method for the determination of gross beta activity concentration in non-saline waters. The method covers non-volatile radionuclides with maximum beta energies of approximately 0,3 MeV or higher. Measurement of low-energy beta emitters (e.g. 3H, 228Ra, 210Pb, 14C, 35S and 241Pu) and some gaseous or volatile radionuclides (e.g. radon and radioiodine) are not be included in the gross beta quantification using the test method described in this document. This test method is applicable to the analysis of raw and drinking waters with low amounts of total soluble salts in the water. Limit of detection depends on the performance characteristics (background count rate and counting efficiency) of the counter used. It is the laboratory’s responsibility to ensure the suitability of this method for the water samples tested. As this method requires sample preparation in laboratory facilities, it is not suited for rapid, in-the-field analysis.