This part of ISO xxxxx specifies a method for the quantitative determination of the total extractable volatile, the volatile aliphatic and aromatic fractions of petroleum hydrocarbon content in field moist soil samples by gas chromatography. The results of the test carried out can be used for risk assessment studies related to contaminations with petroleum hydrocarbons. The method is applicable to petroleum hydrocarbon contents between XXXX mg/kg and XXXX mg/kg soil expressed as dry matter for the whole aliphatic fraction C5 to C10 as well as the aromatic compounds in the boiling range of C6 to C10. For sub-fractions lower limits of determination can be reached.
With this method all hydrocarbons with a boiling range of 36 °C to 175 °C, n-alkanes between C5H12 to C10H22, isoalkanes, cycloalkanes, BTEX, di- and tri-alkyl benzenes compounds are determined as total volatile petroleum hydrocarbons C5 to C10; besides that volatile aliphatic and aromatic fractions are specified. The sub-fractions proposed in this part of ISO xxxxx have shown to be suitable for risk assessment studies. However other sub-fractions between C5H12 to C10H22 can be determined in conformity with this standard.