Characterisation of a second generation of European reference soils for sorption studies in the framework of chemical testing - Part I: chemical composition and pedological properties

In order to guarantee a sufficiently large stock of the European reference soil set introduced for the harmonisation of sorption studies within the fr amework of chemical testing - the so-called EUROSOILS - a second generation of these unique reference materials has recently been introduced. In Part I of this paper both generations are compared with regard to their chemical composition, pedological characteristics and background pollution. To this end numerous analysis by means of WDXRF, ICP-MS, SS-ETAAS and GC-MS have b een carried out. Furthermore, standard pedological parameters such as grain size distribution, soil pH, cation exchange capacity and organic carbon co ntent had been determined for both generations. In a few cases significant differences could be observed for the two versions of one soil. The differe nces in the case of organic carbon content are discussed briefly. However, statistical evaluation by duster analysis proved the chemical and pedologic al identity of both generations. Investigation on eventual existing polluti on by organic contaminants showed no evidence for pollutants whose presence might influence further studies and consequently, no restriction for the f urther use of the second EUROSOIL-generation could be found. (C) 1999 Elsev ier Science B.V. All rights reserved.