ISO 6878:2004 specifies methods for the determination of orthophosphate, orthophosphate after solvent extraction, hydrolysable phosphate plus orthophosphate, and total phosphorus after decomposition.

The methods are applicable to all kinds of water including seawater and effluents. Phosphorus concentrations within the range of 0,005 mg/l to 0,8 mg/l may be determined in such samples without dilution.

A solvent extraction procedure allows smaller phosphorus concentrations to be determined with a detection limit of about 0,000 5 mg/l.