DIN EN ISO 19258:2011-09

This International Standard provides guidance on the principles and main methods for the determination of pedo-geochemical background values and background values for inorganic and organic substances in soils. This document also gives guidance on strategies for sampling and data processing, and identifies methods for sampling and analysis. In practice, it is often difficult to distinguish clearly between the pedo-geochemical and the anthropogenic fraction of the background content of soils. Nonetheless, a detailed knowledge of the background content as well as of the natural fraction for the substances of concern is essential both for any evaluation of the current status of soils for environmental or land use related aspects and for scientific purposes within the scope of pedology or geochemistry. To this end, so-called background values in terms of the statistical characteristics of both the pedo-geochemical and the anthropogenic fraction have to be determined. A variety of different objectives can be identified for the determination of background values of inorganic and/or organic substances in soils. This guidance provides essential aspects of sampling strategies and procedures, minimum requirements regarding the necessary steps and ways of sample pre-treatment, analytical methods and statistical evaluation procedures for determining sound and comparable background values. Guidance is given for a) evaluating existing data from different data sources and b) setting up complete investigation programs aiming to compile background values for a clearly defined three-dimensional picture of the soil. A possible intermediate situation to collect additional data to already existing data is also being discussed.