ISO 21268-1-2019 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 21268-1:2019 — Soil quality — Leaching procedures for subsequent chemical and ecotoxicological testing of soil and soil-like materials — Part 1: Batch test using a liquid to solid ratio of 2 l/kg dry matter. This part specifies a standardized batch leaching test (L/S = 2 L/kg dry matter) to produce eluates for chemical analysis and ecotoxicological testing and to provide information on the release of inorganic and organic substances from soils and soil‑like materials under the specified experimental conditions.

Abstract

ISO 21268-1:2019 defines a routine batch leaching method to characterise the release (leaching) of inorganic and organic constituents from soils and soil‑like materials at a liquid-to-solid ratio of 2 L/kg (dry matter). The procedure produces eluates suitable for follow-up physical, chemical and ecotoxicological testing. The standard highlights limitations (not suitable for volatile constituents and not applicable to materials with dry‑matter content below 33 %) and notes that additional leaching tests are required to fully describe all leaching behaviours.

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard; confirmed in review).
• Publication date: 4 September 2019 (Edition 1, 2019-09).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 13.080.05 (Examination of soils in general).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2019).
• Number of pages: 27 pages.

Scope

This part specifies a laboratory batch test intended to provide information on leaching from soils and soil‑like materials under the specified experimental conditions, in particular at a liquid‑to‑solid ratio of 2 L/kg dry matter. It was developed to (a) measure the release of inorganic and organic substances, and (b) generate eluates for subsequent ecotoxicological and chemical characterisation. The procedure is aimed primarily at routine and control purposes; it is not suitable for substances volatile under ambient conditions and is not applicable to materials with a dry‑matter content lower than 33 %. The test cannot alone describe all leaching properties; other leaching tests are needed for comprehensive characterisation.

Key topics and requirements

• Test type: batch (single‑stage) leaching test producing an eluate at L/S = 2 L/kg (dry matter).
• Purpose: obtain eluates for downstream chemical analysis and ecotoxicological/genotoxicological testing.
• Applicability limits: not for volatile constituents; not for materials with dry‑matter < 33 %.
• Sample considerations: standardized laboratory sample preparation and handling to minimise artefacts (e.g., losses by sorption or volatilisation).
• Analytical follow‑up: eluates intended for characterization by standard physical, chemical and ecotoxicological methods (references to ISO 15799 and ISO 17616 for ecotoxicology).
• Interpretation: method gives information under the specified conditions (routine/control); additional dynamic or pH‑dependent tests required for broader leaching characterisation.
• Quality requirements: defined experimental conditions (mixing, contact time, solid preparation, extraction fluid, filtration) to ensure reproducible eluates.

Typical use and users

Used by environmental laboratories, soil scientists, remediation consultants, regulators, waste‑management authorities and research organisations to: produce standardized eluates for ecotoxicity screening; compare leaching behaviour across samples under a defined, low L/S condition; support routine monitoring and control; and provide input data for risk assessment and management decisions. It is commonly applied where a controlled, repeatable batch leachate is needed rather than dynamic field simulation.

Related standards

ISO 21268 is a multi‑part series. Relevant related documents include: ISO 21268-2 (Batch test using a liquid to solid ratio of 10 L/kg dry matter), ISO 21268-3 (Up‑flow percolation test), ISO 21268-4 (Influence of pH on leaching with initial acid/base addition). Earlier Technical Specifications (ISO/TS 21268-1:2007 and related TS parts) were superseded by the 2019 series. For ecotoxicological follow-up methods see ISO 15799 and ISO 17616.

Keywords

soil quality, leaching procedures, batch leach test, liquid/solid ratio, L/S = 2 L/kg, eluate, ecotoxicology, dry matter, routine testing, environmental monitoring

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 21268-1:2019 is an international standard that specifies a laboratory batch leaching procedure for soils and soil‑like materials using a liquid‑to‑solid ratio of 2 L/kg (dry matter) to produce eluates for chemical and ecotoxicological testing.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the method's purpose, required experimental conditions, sample preparation and handling, limitations (e.g., not suitable for volatile substances; not applicable to materials with dry‑matter < 33 %), and the nature of eluates generated for subsequent analysis. It is intended for routine and control use and does not alone describe all leaching behaviour.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Environmental testing laboratories, soil scientists, remediation and waste consultants, regulatory agencies and researchers who need standardized eluates for chemical analyses or ecotoxicological testing and routine leaching characterisation.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 21268-1:2019 is the current published version (Edition 1, published September 2019). It replaced the earlier ISO/TS 21268-1:2007. The 2019 ISO 21268 series was subject to the routine review cycle and has been confirmed in subsequent reviews.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO 21268 is a multipart standard. Other parts published in the same series address different L/S ratios (Part 2: 10 L/kg), dynamic percolation testing (Part 3: up‑flow percolation) and pH influence (Part 4).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Key terms include: soil quality, leaching procedures, batch test, liquid to solid ratio (L/S = 2 L/kg), eluate, ecotoxicology, dry matter, routine testing, environmental monitoring.