What is BS EN 16320-Mercury in fertilizers and liming materials about?
BS EN 16320 is a European standard that serves technical specifications for mercury in fertilizers and liming materials, enabling the regulation and prevention of mercury in fertilizers and liming materials.
BS EN 16320 specifies a method for the determination of the content of mercury in fertilizers and liming materials after extraction with aqua regia and the detection of mercury by vapour generation (VG) coupled to an atomic absorption spectrometer or an inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer. A limit of quantification of 0.01 mg/kg is to be expected.
Note: The term fertilizer is used throughout BS EN 16320 and includes liming materials unless otherwise indicated.
Who is BS EN 16320-Mercury in fertilizers and liming materials for?
BS EN 16320 on mercury in fertilizers and liming materials applies to:
- Manufacturers of fertilizers and liming materials
- Dealers and importers of fertilizers and liming materials
- Testing labs for fertilizers and liming materials
- Safety assurance services
- Regulatory bodies
Why should you use BS EN 16320-Mercury in fertilizers and liming materials?
Mercury can inhibit nutrient uptake in plants. Heavy metals such as mercury can cause stunted growth, chlorosis, root browning, decline and death in plants. In soil, heavy metals can also affect vital microbial processes and decrease the number and activity of soil microorganisms.
BS EN 16320 provides users guidance on principle, sampling, sample preparation, reagents, apparatus, procedure, calculation, expression of results, precision, and test report to detect and limit the presence of mercury in fertilizers to prevent toxicity in plants and soil.
BS EN 16320 provides users guidance on vapour generation (VG) coupled to an atomic absorption spectrometer method for determining mercury in fertilizers. BS EN 16320 also provides users with a step-by-step procedure for the method, ensuring users do the technique correctly.
The adoption of BS EN 16320 allows users to assess and develop fertilizers, ensuring safety, usability and performance in agricultural applications.