ISO/FDIS 18227

ISO/DISFDIS 18227:2025(en)
ISO/TC 190/SC 3/WG 1
Date: 2025-07-09
Secretariat: DIN
Date: 2025-08-28
Environmental solid matrices — Determination of elemental
composition by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry
Matrices solides environnementales — Détermination de la composition élémentaire par spectrométrie de
fluorescence X
FDIS stage
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ii
Contents
Foreword . iv
Introduction . v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Safety remarks . 3
5 Principle . 3
6 Apparatus . 3
7 Reagents . 4
8 Interferences and sources of error . 5
9 Sample preparation . 5
9.1 General . 5
9.2 Drying and determination of dry mass . 6
9.3 Preparation of pressed pellet . 6
9.4 Preparation of fused beads . 6
10 Procedure . 7
10.1 Analytical measurement conditions . 7
10.2 Calibration . 8
10.3 Analysis of the samples . 13
11 Quality control . 14
11.1 Drift correction procedure . 14
11.2 Blank test . 14
11.3 Reference materials . 14
11.4 Performance data . 14
12 Calculation of the result . 14
13 Test report . 14
Annex A (informative) Semi-quantitative screening analysis of waste, sludge and soil samples 16
Annex B (informative) Examples for operational steps of the sample preparation for soil and
waste samples . 19
Annex C (informative) Suggested analytical lines, crystals and operating conditions . 29
Annex D (informative) List of reference materials applicable for XRF analysis . 31
Annex E (informative) Validation . 32
Bibliography . 43

iii
Foreword
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This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 190, Soil quality, Subcommittee SC 3, Chemical
and physical characterization, in collaboration with the European Committee for Standardization (CEN)
Technical Committee CEN/TC 444, Environmental characterization of solid matrices, in accordance with the
Agreement on technical cooperation between ISO and CEN (Vienna Agreement).
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 18227:2014), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— — the contents of the two almost identical standards ISO 18277:2014 and EN 15309:2007 have been
combined;
— — normative references have been revised.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
iv
Introduction
X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry is a fast and reliable method for the quantitative analysis of the total
content of certain elements within different matrices.
The quality of the results obtained depends very closely on the type of instrument used, e.g. bench top or high
performance, energy dispersive or wavelength dispersive instruments. When selecting a specific instrument
several factors should be considered, such as the matrices to be analysed, elements to be determined,
detection limits required and the measuring time. The quality of the results depends on the element to be
determined and on the surrounding matrix.
Due to the wide range of matrix compositions and the lack of suitable reference materials in the case of
inhomogeneous matrices such as waste, it is generally difficult to set up a calibration with matrix- matched
reference materials.
Therefore, this standarddocument describes two different procedures:
— — a quantitative analytical procedure required for homogeneous solid waste, soil and soil-like material,
where the calibration is based on matrix-matched standards;
— — an optional XRF screening method for solid and liquid material as waste, sludge and soil in
Annex AAnnex A which provides a total element characterization at a semi-quantitative level, where the
calibration is based on matrix-independent calibration curves, previously set up by the manufacturer.
v
DRAFT International Standard ISO/DIS 18227:2024(en)

Environmental solid matrices — Determination of elemental
composition by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry
1 Scope
This document specifies the procedure for a quantitative determination of major and trace element
concentrations in homogeneous solid waste, soil, soil-like material and sludge by energy dispersive X-ray
fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometry or wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) spectrometry
using a calibration with matrix-matched standards.
This document is applicable for the following elements: Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu,
Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sn, Sb, Te, I, Cs, Ba, Ta, W, Hg, Tl, Pb, Bi, Th and U. Concentration
levels between a mass fraction of approximately 0,000 1 % and 100 % can be determined depending on the
element and the instrument used.
An optional XRF screening method for solid and liquid material as waste, sludge and soil is added in
Annex AAnnex A which provides a total element characterization at a semi-quantitative level, where the
calibration is based on matrix-independent calibration curves, previously set up by the manufacturer.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— — ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
— — IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
3.1 3.1
absorption edge
jump of the mass absorption coefficient at a specific wavelength or energy
3.2 3.2
analytical line
specific characteristic X-ray spectral line of the atom or ion of the analyte used for determination of the analyte
content
3.3 3.3
continuous radiation
electromagnetic radiation produced by the acceleration of a charged particle, such as an electron, when
deflected by another charged particle, such as an atomic nucleus
3.4 3.4
Compton-line
spectral line due to incoherent scattering (Compton-effect) occurring when the incident X-ray photon strikes
an atom without promoting fluorescence
Note 1 to entry: Energy is lost in the collision and therefore the resulting scattered X-ray photon is of lower energy than
the incident X-ray photon.
3.5 3.5
drift correction monitor
physically stable sample used to correct for instrumental drift
3.6 3.6
fused bead
analyte sample prepared by dissolution in a flux
3.7 3.7
liquid sample
analyte sample submitted as a solution for direct measurement in the sample cup
3.8 3.8
mass absorption coefficient
constant describing the fractional decrease in the intensity of a beam of X-radiation as it passes through an
absorbing medium
Note 1 to entry: This is expressed in units of cm /g.
Note 2 to entry: The mass absorption coefficient is a function of the wavelength of the absorbed radiation and the atomic
number of the absorbing element.
3.9 3.9
powder sample
analyte sample submitted as a powder for direct measurement in the sample cup
3.10 3.10
precision
the closeness of agreement between independent test results obtained under stipulated conditions
Note 1 to entry: Precision depends only on the distribution of random errors and does not relate to the true value or the
specified value.
Note 2 to entry: The measure of precision is usually expressed in terms of imprecision
...