BS EN 13650:2001

1 Scope
2 Normative references
3 Terms and definitions
4 Principle
5 Reagents
6 Apparatus
7 Test sample passing through a 500 micrometer sieve
8 Procedure
9 Determination of extracted elements
10 Expression of results
11 Precision
12 Test report
Annex A (informative) Results of an inter-laboratory trial
        to determine aqua regia soluble elements
Annex B (informative) Methods of analysis used in the
        Inter-laboratory trial
Bibliography

Specifies a method for the routine extraction of aqua regia soluble elements from soil improvers or growing media and is not applicable to liming materials and preformed materials such as mineral wool slabs and foam slabs.

This European Standard specifies a method for the routine extraction of aqua regia soluble elements (as listed in annex B) from soil improvers or growing media. Materials containing more than about 28 % (m/m) organic matter will require treatment with additional nitric acid. With high solute concentrations in extract solutions, spectral interference\'s and background enhancement should be expected. The method is not applicable to liming materials and preformed materials such as mineral wool slabs and foam slabs. NOTE 1 Aqua regia will not totally dissolve most soil improvers or growing media, and the efficiency of extraction for particular elements differs from element to element. Such efficiency might also differ for the same element in different matrices. Elements extractable in aqua regia cannot therefore, be described as \'Totals\'; conversely they cannot be regarded as the \'bio-available\' fraction, as the extraction procedure is too vigorous to represent any biological process. NOTE 2 The requirements of the standard may differ from the national legal requirements for the declaration of the products concerned.