This International Standard specifies two methods for the determination, by atomic absorption spectrometry, of one or more of cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, lead, manganese, nickel and zinc, in aqua regia extracts of soil obtained in accordance with ISO 11466. The choice of method for any element depends on the amount of that element expected to be in a sample, and both methods might be needed to cover all the elements in one sample. The methods are applicable when the extractable element content is above or below the amount given in table 1 (as milligrams per kilogram, dry matter), as appropriate. The two methods are described separately as follows: