ISO 15586:2003包括使用石墨炉中电热原子化原子吸收光谱法测定地表水、地下水、饮用水、废水和沉积物中痕量银、铝、砷、镉、钴、铬、铜、铁、锰、钼、镍、铅、锑、硒、铊、钒和锌的原理和程序。本方法适用于低浓度元素的测定。 每个元素的方法检测限取决于样品基质、仪器、雾化器类型和化学改进剂的使用。 对于具有简单基质的水样（即溶解固体和颗粒的低浓度），方法检测限将接近仪器检测限。规定了20微升样品体积的最低可接受检测限值。

ISO 15586:2003 includes principles and procedures for the determination of trace levels of: Ag, Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Tl, V, and Zn in surface water, ground water, drinking water, wastewater and sediments, using atomic absorption spectrometry with electrothermal atomization in a graphite furnace. The method is applicable to the determination of low concentrations of elements. The detection limit of the method for each element depends on the sample matrix as well as of the instrument, the type of atomizer and the use of chemical modifiers. For water samples with a simple matrix (i.e. low concentration of dissolved solids and particles), the method detection limits will be close to instrument detection limits. The minimum acceptable detection limit values for a 20-microlitre sample volume are specified.