Overview

This European Standard specifies a method for the determination of the mass concentration of water soluble NO₃^-, SO₄^2-, Cl^-, NH₄⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ in PM2,5 as deposited on filters. This European Standard describes the analytical procedures for determining anions and cations as part of the PM2,5 particulate phase, sample extraction and analysis of anions and cations by ion chromatography. Alternatively, cations, excluding ammonium, can be analysed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES). Ammonium can also be analysed by photometry or conductometry. This European Standard can be used for the measurements of anions and cations as required by Directive 2008/50/EC. The method does not take into account the possible losses during sampling due to evaporation. NO₃^-, Cl^-, NH₄⁺ are part of the volatile fraction of PM2,5, and the concentrations determined using this standard can be used as minimum values for the concentrations of these ions in PM2,5. NO₃^-, Cl^-, NH₄⁺ concentrations are usually up to 30 % underestimated due to evaporational losses from the filter during sampling. This European Standard may be used at rural and urban background sites and road sites that are in accordance with the siting criteria of Directive 2008/50/EC. This European Standard is applicable to the measurement of anion/cations in PM2,5 samples corresponding to PM2,5 mass concentrations between approximately 1 μg/m³ (that is, the limit of detection of the standard measurement method (EN 12341) expressed as its uncertainty) up to 120 μg/m³. The procedure described in DIN EN 16913 is aimed in particular at representatives of authorities, measurement network operators, measuring institutes, test laboratories and measuring device manufacturers. The standardization work has been carried out as part of a mandate from the EU and EFTA, which also provided financial support for the validation tests. The standard has been prepared by CEN/TC 264 "Air quality", the secretariat of which is held by DIN, at Working Group CEN/TC 264/WG 34 "Standard method for measurement of NO₃^-, SO₄^2-, Cl^-, NH₄⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺". The responsible German committee is NA 134-04-02-10 UA "Messen von Metallen und Halbmetallen (I)" ("Measurement of metals and semimetals (I)") of Technical Section IV "Umweltmesstechnik" ("Environmental measurement engineering") of the VDI/DIN-Commission on Air Pollution Prevention (KRdL) - Standards Committee.

Document: references other documents

Responsible national committee

NA 134-04-02-10 UA - Measurement of atmospheric depositions and elements in ambient air  

Responsible european committee

CEN/TC 264 - Air quality