ISO 15587-1-2002 PDF

Full title and description

St ISO 15587-1:2002 — Water quality — Digestion for the determination of selected elements in water — Part 1: Aqua regia digestion. This international standard specifies an aqua regia (HNO3 + HCl) wet‑digestion procedure for extracting selected trace elements from water samples prior to instrumental analysis.

Abstract

This part of ISO 15587 describes a generic, empirically based aqua regia digestion method applicable to many water types (with limits on suspended solids and total organic carbon). The method is intended to convert a representative test portion into a form suitable for subsequent elemental determination, while noting that some refractory compounds may not be completely solubilized and that chloride in the digest can affect certain analytical techniques. Typical analytes covered include Ag, Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, Sr, Tl, V and Zn.

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard; confirmed in periodic review cycles).
• Publication date: 2002 (ISO record shows publication March 2002; various catalogues note February–March 2002 publication).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 13.060.50 — Examination of water for chemical substances.
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2002).
• Number of pages: 18 (ISO bibliographic record).

Scope

Specifies an aqua regia digestion procedure for extracting selected trace elements from water samples. Applicable to waters with suspended solids mass concentration less than 20 g/l and total organic carbon (TOC) expressed as carbon less than 5 g/l. The method is empirical (may not fully release all element forms) but is considered fit‑for‑purpose for most environmental monitoring and routine laboratory analyses. It is not suitable for complete digestion of refractory materials such as SiO2, TiO2 and Al2O3; the presence of chloride in the digest can also limit some analytical techniques.

Key topics and requirements

• Reagent chemistry: aqua regia prepared by mixing nitric acid and hydrochloric acid (conventionally 1 volume HNO3: 3 volumes HCl) and specified reagent volumes relative to the test portion.
• Test portion and sample limits: recommended test portion (example 25.0 mL) and applicability limits (suspended solids < 20 g/L; TOC < 5 g/L).
• Temperature and time control: digestion temperature must be known and maintained (minimum ≈ boiling point, up to specified maximum ≈175 °C); minimum durations and scale‑up rules are defined (e.g., minimum boiling‑point digest time and how duration changes with temperature).
• Equipment and system flexibility: method may be implemented in open or closed systems and with a variety of vessels/materials provided composition, temperature and duration requirements are followed.
• Analyte suitability and limitations: lists of elements for which aqua regia digestion is suitable (Ag, Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, Sr, Tl, V, Zn) and explicit note of poor suitability for refractory oxides.
• Quality and safety: requirements for clean materials, blank/control use, handling and preservation per sampling standards (references such as ISO 5667 series), and safe handling of strong acids and reflux systems.

Typical use and users

Environmental and water‑quality laboratories, municipal and industrial wastewater monitoring facilities, regulatory agencies, contract testing laboratories and research groups performing trace‑element analysis in water. The method is used to prepare samples for subsequent instrumental methods (ICP‑OES, ICP‑MS, AAS, etc.), subject to compatibility considerations with chloride‑containing digests.

Related standards

Companion parts in the ISO 15587 series include ISO 15587‑2:2002 (Nitric acid digestion). Related ISO standards referenced for sampling and analysis include ISO 5667 (water sampling) and analytical method standards such as ISO 11885 (ICP‑OES) for element determination in digests.

Keywords

aqua regia; digestion; water quality; trace elements; sample preparation; ISO 15587; environmental analysis; TOC; suspended solids; aqua regia digestion.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 15587‑1:2002 specifies an aqua regia wet‑digestion procedure for preparing water samples prior to determination of selected trace elements.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the digestion chemistry (aqua regia), recommended test portions, temperature/time rules, equipment considerations, analytes for which the procedure is suitable, and known limitations (refractory compounds, chloride effects on analysis).

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Environmental testing laboratories, water and wastewater monitoring labs, regulatory bodies and researchers performing elemental analysis of water samples.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 15587‑1:2002 remains the published edition from 2002; ISO records show the standard was maintained/confirmed through periodic review cycles. Users should check national/adopting bodies or the ISO catalogue for any more recent amendments or replacements before procurement.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 1 of the ISO 15587 series; Part 2 (ISO 15587‑2:2002) covers nitric acid digestion and other parts/related documents address complementary digestion/sample‑preparation options.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: aqua regia, digestion, water quality, trace elements, sample preparation, suspended solids limit, TOC limit, environmental analysis.