subject: Topsoil Analysis [print this page] Topsoil Analysis Topsoil Analysis
Topsoil Analysis: BS3882 2007
If you like reading charts then topsoil analysis could be for you. When you send your topsoil off for testing you are sending it to be put under a microscope by those who know. Results can differ from sample to sample but you need to know what you are looking at and that's what I would like to discuss here.
The standard soil analysis test was the British standard 3882 test. This has now been replaced with the British standard 3882:2007 test. The main difference between the two tests is that the 2007 test places an emphasis on plant nutrients. This means that subsoil cannot be passed as topsoil. Subsoil coming from further under the ground lacks the nutrients the material closer to the surface has so the new test can differentiate between topsoil and subsoil. This has raised the bar in the production of topsoil significantly and has caused many topsoil tests to become fails.
Some of the key constituents in the test are
Clay, silt and sand content
Organic matter content
maximum course fragment (sharps)
PH value
Available plant nutrients ( the most common failure)
Metals test
visible contaminants ( plastic)
The analysis of the topsoil usually takes about a week and does deliver some in depth results for you to read. These results are particularly useful if you have temperamental plants in you garden, or if you need to find out the general constituents of your garden space.
These types of test are being used more and more commercially today for the importation of topsoil into contract work. The failure rate has been high but in time the quality of topsoil will be improved vastly by this test and it will introduce a greater demand for recycled green waste that can be added to topsoil to improve the available plant nutrients.
The cost of topsoil analysis is at time of writing between 30.00 and 70.00 plus vat which is very reasonable for the amount of work that has to be done to the soil to get the results. The test results are usually back in about seven days and most results will give the guideline values next to your results so you can make a comparison.
If the results are not what you were expecting and there are signs of contamination, a further test can be undertaken to determine the range of contaminants and their danger. This test is more expensive at around 300.00 per sample. This of course is out of the domestic range and into the commercial range mainly fortopsoil suppliers ,but sometimes necessary in both due to it being a legal requirement.
There are many contaminants in soil that are a danger to human health. One of the first to be highlighted in a report is the lead range. A high lead reading can come from operations such as spillages of petrol and are most common on commercial sites such as garages but can be found in residential areas such as gardens where petrol lawnmowers have been filled. Another contaminant to look out for is the Benzo range. This has particular risk to human health and will also be highlighted on the test results.
