CEN/TS 16177:2012
(Main)Sludge, treated biowaste and soil - Extraction for the determination of extractable ammonia, nitrate and nitrite
Sludge, treated biowaste and soil - Extraction for the determination of extractable ammonia, nitrate and nitrite
This Technical Specification specifies a procedure for the determination of ammonium nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen in sludge, treated biowaste and soil after extraction with a 1 mol/l potassium chloride solution. The extraction method is suitable for fresh samples.
The determination of nitrogen fractions can be done manually or by automated methods.
Schlamm, behandelter Bioabfall und Boden - Bestimmung von extrahierbarem Ammoniumstickstoff, Nitrat- und Nitritstickstoff
Diese Technische Spezifikation legt ein Verfahren zur Bestimmung von Ammonium Stickstoff und Nitrat-Stickstoff in Schlamm, behandeltem Bioabfall und Boden nach der Extraktion mit einer 1 mol/l Kaliumchlorid-lösung fest. Das Extraktionsverfahren ist für frische Proben geeignet.
Die Bestimmung von Stickstoffanteilen kann manuell oder mithilfe automatisierter Verfahren vorgenommen werden.
Boues, biodéchets traités et sols - Extraction pour la détermination de l'azote nitrique et ammoniacal extractible
La présente Spécification technique définit un mode opératoire pour le dosage de l'azote ammoniacal et de l'azote nitrique dans les boues, les biodéchets traités et les sols après extraction avec une solution de chlorure de potassium à 1 mol/l. La méthode d'extraction convient pour les échantillons frais.
Le dosage des fractions azotées peut être effectué manuellement ou par des méthodes automatisées.
Blato, obdelani biološki odpadki in tla - Določevanje amonija, nitrata in nitrita, sposobnih ekstrakcije
Ta tehnična specifikacija opredeljuje postopek za določevanje amonijevega dušika in nitritovega dušika v blatu, obdelanih bioloških odpadkih in tleh po ekstrakciji z 1 mol/l raztopino kalijevega klorida. Metoda ekstrakcije je primerna za sveže vzorce. Določanje deležev dušika se lahko izvede ročno ali s samodejnimi metodami.
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 21-Feb-2012
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 444 - Environmental characterization
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 444/WG 3 - Inorganic analysis
- Current Stage
- 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
- Start Date
- 16-May-2025
- Completion Date
- 23-Sep-2025
Overview
CEN/TS 16177:2012 specifies a validated laboratory procedure for extracting and determining extractable ammonium (NH4+-N) and nitrate (NO3−-N) from sludge, treated biowaste and soil using a 1 mol/l potassium chloride (KCl) solution. The method is intended for fresh samples and supports both manual and automated analytical techniques (e.g., FIA/CFA, spectrophotometry, distillation/titration). It is a practical standard for environmental testing, quality control and regulatory reporting of mineral nitrogen fractions.
Key topics and requirements
- Extraction reagent: 1 mol/l potassium chloride (KCl) prepared from analytical-grade KCl and grade 2 water (EN ISO 3696).
- Sample types validated: municipal sludge, fresh compost, compost, sludge-amended soil and agricultural soil (see Annex A for validation data).
- Sample preparation: follow EN 16179 guidance for pretreatment; thawing rules for frozen samples (extract within 4 h at room temperature or within 48 h at 4 °C).
- Extraction conditions: shake homogenised aliquot with 1 mol/l KCl for 1 hour at room temperature using end-over-end or equivalent shaker.
- Sample-to-extractant ratios (m/V):
- Field moist fresh soil: 1:5
- Dry soil: 1:10
- Treated biowaste, sludge or sludge-amended soils: 1:20 up to 1:80
- Filtration/centrifugation: filter through nitrogen-free filter (8–12 µm), discard first 10 ml, analyse subsequent filtrate. Centrifugation recommended if repeated extractions are used.
- Analytical methods: EN ISO 11732, ISO 14256‑2, ISO 7150‑1 or equivalent validated methods for ammonium and nitrate determination.
- Quality controls: at least two blanks per series; calibration with inorganic ammonium and nitrate salts (e.g., NH4Cl, KNO3); use purified glassware/equipment to avoid contamination.
- Result expression: mg/kg dry matter (dry matter determined per the method used).
- Storage: filtrates may be stored at 4 °C for at least seven days due to KCl inhibition of biological activity.
- Performance: precision and interlaboratory data are provided in Annex A.
Practical applications
- Routine monitoring of mineral nitrogen in wastewater sludge, compost and soils for agronomic or environmental assessments.
- Quality control in composting facilities and sludge treatment plants.
- Regulatory compliance testing and nutrient management planning (e.g., risk assessment for nitrate leaching).
- Research studies on nitrogen availability, soil amendment effects and fertilizer planning.
Who should use this standard
- Environmental and agricultural testing laboratories
- Wastewater treatment plant labs and operators
- Compost and biowaste processors
- Soil scientists, agronomists and environmental consultants
- Regulators requiring standardized nitrogen-extraction data
Related standards
- EN 16179 - Guidance for sample pretreatment
- EN ISO 3696 - Water for analytical laboratory use
- EN ISO 11732 / ISO 14256-2 / ISO 7150-1 - Methods for ammonium/nitrate determination
Keywords: CEN/TS 16177, extractable ammonia, extractable nitrate, 1 mol/l KCl extraction, sludge analysis, treated biowaste, soil nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen determination, FIA, CFA.
Frequently Asked Questions
CEN/TS 16177:2012 is a technical specification published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Sludge, treated biowaste and soil - Extraction for the determination of extractable ammonia, nitrate and nitrite". This standard covers: This Technical Specification specifies a procedure for the determination of ammonium nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen in sludge, treated biowaste and soil after extraction with a 1 mol/l potassium chloride solution. The extraction method is suitable for fresh samples. The determination of nitrogen fractions can be done manually or by automated methods.
This Technical Specification specifies a procedure for the determination of ammonium nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen in sludge, treated biowaste and soil after extraction with a 1 mol/l potassium chloride solution. The extraction method is suitable for fresh samples. The determination of nitrogen fractions can be done manually or by automated methods.
CEN/TS 16177:2012 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 13.030.01 - Wastes in general. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
CEN/TS 16177:2012 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 86/278/EEC; Standardization Mandates: M/330. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.
You can purchase CEN/TS 16177:2012 directly from iTeh Standards. The document is available in PDF format and is delivered instantly after payment. Add the standard to your cart and complete the secure checkout process. iTeh Standards is an authorized distributor of CEN standards.
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-junij-2012
%ODWRREGHODQLELRORãNLRGSDGNLLQWOD'RORþHYDQMHDPRQLMDQLWUDWDLQQLWULWD
VSRVREQLKHNVWUDNFLMH
Sludge, treated biowaste and soil - Extraction for the determination of extractable
ammonia, nitrate and nitrite
Schlamm, behandelter Bioabfall und Boden - Bestimmung von extrahierbarem
Ammoniumstickstoff, Nitrat- und Nitritstickstoff
Boues, bio-déchets traités et sols - Extraction pour la détermination de l'azote nitrique et
ammoniacal extractible
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: CEN/TS 16177:2012
ICS:
13.030.20 7HNRþLRGSDGNL%ODWR Liquid wastes. Sludge
13.080.10 .HPLMVNH]QDþLOQRVWLWDO Chemical characteristics of
soils
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
CEN/TS 16177
SPÉCIFICATION TECHNIQUE
TECHNISCHE SPEZIFIKATION
February 2012
ICS 13.030.01
English Version
Sludge, treated biowaste and soil - Extraction for the
determination of extractable ammonia, nitrate and nitrite
Boues, biodéchets traités et sols - Extraction pour la Schlamm, behandelter Bioabfall und Boden - Bestimmung
détermination de l'azote nitrique et ammoniacal extractible von extrahierbarem Ammoniumstickstoff, Nitrat- und
Nitritstickstoff
This Technical Specification (CEN/TS) was approved by CEN on 24 April 2011 for provisional application.
The period of validity of this CEN/TS is limited initially to three years. After two years the members of CEN will be requested to submit their
comments, particularly on the question whether the CEN/TS can be converted into a European Standard.
CEN members are required to announce the existence of this CEN/TS in the same way as for an EN and to make the CEN/TS available
promptly at national level in an appropriate form. It is permissible to keep conflicting national standards in force (in parallel to the CEN/TS)
until the final decision about the possible conversion of the CEN/TS into an EN is reached.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels
© 2012 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. CEN/TS 16177:2012: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
Contents Page
Foreword .3
Introduction .4
1 Scope .5
2 Normative references .5
3 Terms and definitions .5
4 Principle .5
5 Interferences and sources of errors .5
6 Reagents .6
7 Apparatus .6
8 Procedure .6
8.1 Preparation .6
8.2 Extraction .6
8.3 Filtration .7
8.4 Determination .7
8.5 Calibration .7
8.6 Blank determination .7
9 Calculation and expression of results .7
9.1 Method of calculation .7
9.2 Expression of results .7
10 Precision .7
11 Test report .8
Annex A (informative) Repeatability and reproducibility data .9
A.1 Materials used in the interlaboratory comparison study .9
A.2 Interlaboratory comparison results . 10
Annex B (informative) Performance data . 11
Bibliography . 13
Foreword
This document (CEN/TS 16177:2012) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 400 “Project
Committee - Horizontal standards in the fields of sludge, biowaste and soil”, the secretariat of which is held by
DIN.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. CEN [and/or CENELEC] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
The preparation of this document by CEN is based on a mandate by the European Commission (Mandate
M/330), which assigned the development of standards on sampling and analytical methods for hygienic and
biological parameters as well as inorganic and organic determinants, aiming to make these standards
applicable to sludge, treated biowaste and soil as far as this is technically feasible.
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to announce this Technical Specification: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus,
Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,
Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
Introduction
This Technical Specification is applicable and validated for several types of matrices as indicated in Table 1
(see also Annex A for the results of the validation).
Table 1 — Matrices for which this Technical Specification is applicable and validated
Matrix Materials used for validation
Sludge Municipal sludge
Biowaste Fresh compost
Compost
Soil Sludge amended soil
Agricultural soil
WARNING — Persons using this Technical Specification should be familiar with usual laboratory
practice. This Technical Specification does not purport to address all of the safety problems, if any,
associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user to establish appropriate safety and health
practices and to ensure compliance with any national regulatory conditions.
IMPORTANT — It is absolutely essential that tests conducted according to this Technical
Specification be carried out by suitably trained staff.
1 Scope
This Technical Specification specifies a procedure for the determination of ammonium nitrogen and nitrate
nitrogen in sludge, treated biowaste and soil after extraction with a 1 mol/l potassium chloride solution. The
extraction method is suitable for fresh samples.
The determination of nitrogen fractions can be done manually or by automated methods.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 16179, Sludge, treated biowaste and soil — Guidance for sample pretreatment
EN ISO 3696, Water for analytical laboratory use — Specification and test methods (ISO 3696)
EN ISO 11732, Water quality — Determination of ammonium nitrogen — Method by flow analysis (CFA and
FIA) and spectrometric detection (ISO 11732)
ISO 7150-1, Water quality — Determination of ammonium — Part 1: Manual spectrometric method
ISO 14256-2, Soil quality — Determination of nitrate, nitrite and ammonium in field-moist soils by extraction
with potassium chloride solution — Part 2: Automated method with segmented flow analysis
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
nitrogen fractions
mass of ammonium nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen (mineral nitrogen) that is released after a single or repeated
extraction of the sample using 1 mol/l potassium chloride solution
4 Principle
An aliquot of the homogenised fresh material is shaken for 1 h with 1 mol/l potassium chloride solution at room
temperature. The ratio of extractant to material varies according to the material tested. The extraction solution
is centrifuged or filtered and an aliquot of the filtrate is analysed by flow injection analysis (FIA) or continuous
flow analysis (CFA) or by manual methods as distillation and titration or spectrophotometric method.
5 Interferences and sources of errors
The samples can change composition due to biological and/or chemical activity. The fresh or the deep frozen
homogenised test sample is directly transferred to the extraction bottle, which is filled with the potassium
chloride solution, if a change in the content of the nitrogen fractions can be expected. Drying of the material,
even rapid microwave drying will result in a change of the nitrogen content especially of ammonium. Take
care to use purified glassware and equipment and filter papers free of contaminations with nitrate and
ammonium. Cleaning of glassware with water shall be performed after each use, especially to avoid cross
contaminations from samples with high contents of nitrogen fractions, like sludge or biowaste. Use separate
equipment for the analysis of soil samples, as contents of nitrogen fractions can be near the detection limit. A
blank test shall be carried out to assure purity of reagents and equipment.
6 Reagents
Use only reagents of recognized analytical grade, unless otherwise specified.
6.1 Water, grade 2 according to EN ISO 3696.
6.2 Potassium chloride, c(KCl) = 1 mol/l.
Dissolve 373 g of KCl, dried at 105 °C, in approximately 3 l wate
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