Agriculture & Food

This European Standard specifies a method for the determination of the content of cadmium, chromium, nickel and lead in fertilizers with inductively coupled plasma‑atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) after extraction with aqua regia. Limits of quantification are dependent on the sample matrix as well as on the instrument, but can roughly be expected to be 0,3 mg/kg for Cd and 1 mg/kg for Cr, Ni and Pb.

NOTE          Due to significant interference from Cu, Fe and Mn, no valid results can be reported using this method for fertilizer matrices containing high concentrations (≥ 10 %) of these micro-nutrients.

This European Standard specifies two methods for the determination of the content of soluble chromate in fertilisers.

Method A specifies the determination of chromate after extraction with water by photometry. This method can be used to determine Cr(VI)-mass fractions in solids higher than 1 mg/kg.

Method B specifies the determination of chromate by alkaline digestion and ion chromatography with spectrophotometric detection. This method can be used to determine Cr(VI)-mass fractions in solids higher than 0,1 mg/kg.

NOTE          In case of reducing or oxidising fertiliser matrix, no valid Cr(VI) content can be reported.

This European Standard specifies a method for the determination of the content of mercury in fertilizers after extraction with aqua regia and the detection of mercury by vapour generation (VG) coupled to an atomic absorption spectrometer or an inductively coupled plasma‑atomic emission spectrometer. A limit of quantification of 0,01 mg/kg is to be expected.

This European Standard specifies a method for the determination of the content of arsenic in fertilizers using inductively coupled plasma‑atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) after aqua regia dissolution. Limits of quantification are dependent on the sample matrix as well as on the instrument, but can roughly be expected to be 1,5 mg/kg for As.