13.080.30 - Biological properties of soils

The present document specifies a method for direct extraction of DNA from soil samples to analyse
the abundance and composition of microbial communities by various techniques of molecular biology
including real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). This method is mainly dedicated to agricultural and forest
soils. This method can possibly not be suitable for soils rich in organic matter (e.g. peat soils) or soils
heavily polluted with organic pollutants or heavy metals.
The direct extraction of DNA ...view more

This document specifies a method for the measurement of several hydrolase activities (arylamidase, arylsulfatase, β-galactosidase, α-glucosidase, β-glucosidase, N-acetyl-glucosaminidase, acid, alkaline and global phosphatases, urease) simultaneously (or not) in soil samples, using colorimetric substrates. Enzyme activities of soil vary seasonally and depend on soil chemical, physical and biological characteristics. This method can be applied either to detect harmful effects on soil enzyme activi...view more

The present document specifies a method for direct extraction of DNA from soil samples to analyse the abundance and composition of microbial communities by various techniques of molecular biology including real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). This method is mainly dedicated to agricultural and forest soils. This method can possibly not be suitable for soils rich in organic matter (e.g. peat soils) or soils heavily polluted with organic pollutants or heavy metals. The direct extraction of DNA from ...view more

This International Standard gives guidance on the selection and method of appropriate tests for the determination of biodegradation of organic chemicals in soil samples under anaerobic conditions.

The purpose of ISO 29200:2013 is to describe a method for assessing genotoxic effects (chromosome breakage or dysfunction of the mitotic spindle) of soils or soil materials on the secondary roots of a higher plant: Vicia faba (broad bean). This method allows the assessment of genotoxicity (toxicity for genetic material) of soils and soil materials like compost, sludge, waste, fertilizing matters, etc. Two ways of exposure can be considered: a direct exposure of plants to the soil (or soil materi...view more

This document describes a method to compare the quality of soils by determining the fatty acid composition of the leaves of plant species grown in these soils.
This method does not make it possible to determine an optimal value of the Omega-3 index and, therefore, cannot be used to determine the intrinsic quality of a soil from a specific area (regarded as homogeneous). The method can only be used to compare the quality of soils between various areas.
This method is applicable to:
— soils fro...view more

This International Standard specifies a rapid method for the determination of the potential rate of ammonium
oxidation and inhibition of nitrification in soils. This method is suitable for all soils containing a population of
nitrifying microorganisms. It can be used as a rapid screening test for monitoring soil quality and quality of
wastes, and is suitable for testing the effects of cultivation methods, chemical substances [except volatiles,
i.e. H > 1 (Henry’s constant)], extracts of bios...view more

This International Standard specifies a test method for determining the activity of active aerobic, eterotrophic
microbial biomass in soils. This method is applicable to the monitoring of soil quality and to the evaluation of
the ecotoxic potential of soils and soil materials. It is also applicable for soils sampled along contamination
gradients in the field and to soils that are contaminated experimentally in the field or in the laboratory.

ISO 17512-2:2011 specifies a rapid screening method for evaluating the habitat function of soils based on the avoidance behaviour of springtails.
The test is a rapid method that reflects the bioavailability of contaminants in natural soils and substances spiked into soils to Folsomia candida. In both cases, it is possible to establish a dose-response-relationship. The avoidance behaviour of the springtails is the measurement endpoint of the test. This test is not intended to replace the Collemb...view more

This document specifies a chronic test method for evaluating the habitat function of soils and determining effects of soil contaminants and substances on the reproduction of Hypoaspis aculeifer by ? mainly ? alimentary uptake. This method is applicable to soils and soil materials of unknown quality, e.g. from contaminated sites, amended soils, soils after remediation, industrial, agricultural or other sites under concern and waste materials (e.g. dredged material, municipal sludge from a wastewa...view more

This International Standard provides guidance on the selection and conduct of appropriate test methods for
the determination of biodegradation of organic chemicals in aerobic soils. lt does not describe any specific test method.

ISO 17512-1:2008 specifies a rapid screening method for evaluating the habitat function of soils and the influence of contaminants and chemicals on earthworm behaviour.
The sublethal test is a rapid method that reflects the bioavailability of contaminant mixtures in natural soils and substances spiked into soils to Eisenia fetida and Eisenia andrei. The avoidance behaviour of the worms is the measurement endpoint of the test. This test is not intended to replace the earthworm reproduction test....view more

ISO 14239:2017 specifies six suitable incubation systems for measuring the rates and extent of mineralization of organic compounds in soil by measurement of carbon dioxide (CO2) evolution. All incubation systems are applicable to soluble or insoluble compounds but choice of system depends on the overall purposes of the study.
ISO 14239:2017 does not apply to the use of such systems for material balance studies, which are often test-substance specific.

This document specifies a protocol to identify ecotoxicological test specimens (mainly invertebrates and plants) to the species level, based on the DNA barcoding technique. This protocol can be used by laboratories performing DNA barcoding in order to standardize both the wet-lab and data analysis workflows as much as possible, and make them compliant with community standards and guidelines.
This document does not intend to specify one particular strain for each test method, but to accurately d...view more

ISO 18763:2016 describes a technique for determining the effects of soil and soil-related materials on the seed germination and early growth of higher plants. These endpoints are useful indicators for the assessment of the quality of a soil as a habitat for organisms. It is applicable to all soils in which soil organisms are active and may be used to evaluate:
- the effects on plants due to toxicity of solid or liquid chemicals contaminating soil or materials (compost, sludge, waste) and chemic...view more

This document specifies an extraction method to determine the bioavailable (potential and environmental available) fraction and the non-bioavailable fraction of a contaminant in soil using a "receiver phase" for an organic contaminant with strong sorbing or complexing properties, for example, Tenax®[1] or cyclodextrin, respectively. NOTE 1 The bioavailable fraction is defined in ISO 17402 as environmental bioavailability. The method is applicable for non-polar organic contaminants with an aqueou...view more