ASTM E1197-12(2021)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Conducting a Terrestrial Soil-Core Microcosm Test
Standard Guide for Conducting a Terrestrial Soil-Core Microcosm Test
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This guide provides a test procedure for evaluating the potential ecological impacts and environmental transport of a chemical in an agricultural (tilled, low-till, or no-till) or natural field soil ecosystem that may be released or spilled into the environment. The suggested test procedures are designed to supply site-specific information for a chemical without having to perform field testing. (See EPA 560/6-82-002 and EPA 560/6-82-003.)
4.2 This guide is not specifically designed to address fate of chemicals in soils of forested ecosystems. However, with some modifications, it may be adapted for that purpose by the individual investigator.
4.3 Specifically, this guide is used to determine the effect of a chemical on (1) growth and reproduction of either natural grassland vegetation or crops, and (2) nutrient uptake and cycling within the soil/plant system. Additionally, the soil-core microcosm will provide information on (1) potential for bioaccumulation (enrichment) of the chemical into plant tissues, and (2) the potential for and rate of transport of the chemical through soil to groundwater.
4.4 The results of this test should be used in conjunction with information on the chemical and biological activity of the test substance to assess the relative environmental hazard and the potential for environmental movement once released.
4.5 The test methods described in this guide are designed specifically for liquid or solid materials. Significant modifications of the exposure system would be necessary to accommodate chemicals that are volatile or that may be released in a gaseous or aerosolized form. For methods that could be adapted for use with volatile or gaseous test substances see Refs (3, 4, 5, 6).
4.6 Results of a multi-year soil-core microcosm test have been correlated with data derived from a series of multi-year field plot tests for a limited number of materials. Information on the correlation between microcosm and field results can be fo...
SCOPE
1.1 This guide defines the requirements and procedures for using soil-core microcosms to test the environmental fate, ecological effects, and environmental transport of chemicals that may enter terrestrial ecosystems. The approach and the materials suggested for use in the microcosm test are also described.
1.2 This guide details a procedure designed to supply site-specific or possibly regional information on the probable chemical fate and ecological effects in a soil system resulting from the release or spillage of chemicals into the environment in either liquid or solid form.
1.3 Experience has shown that microcosms are most helpful in the assessment process after preliminary knowledge about the chemical properties and biological activity have been obtained. Data generated from the test can then be used to compare the potential terrestrial environmental hazards of a chemical.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E1197 − 12 (Reapproved 2021)
Standard Guide for
Conducting a Terrestrial Soil-Core Microcosm Test
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1197; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope D422 Test Method for Particle-SizeAnalysis of Soils (With-
drawn 2016)
1.1 This guide defines the requirements and procedures for
D511 Test Methods for Calcium and Magnesium In Water
using soil-core microcosms to test the environmental fate,
D515 Test Method for Phosphorus In Water (Withdrawn
ecological effects, and environmental transport of chemicals
1997)
that may enter terrestrial ecosystems. The approach and the
D1426 Test Methods for Ammonia Nitrogen In Water
materials suggested for use in the microcosm test are also
D2167 Test Method for Density and Unit Weight of Soil in
described.
Place by the Rubber Balloon Method
1.2 This guide details a procedure designed to supply
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water
site-specific or possibly regional information on the probable
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
chemical fate and ecological effects in a soil system resulting
D2488 Practice for Description and Identification of Soils
from the release or spillage of chemicals into the environment
(Visual-Manual Procedures)
in either liquid or solid form.
D3867 Test Methods for Nitrite-Nitrate in Water
2.2 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:
1.3 Experience has shown that microcosms are most helpful
in the assessment process after preliminary knowledge about Environmental Effects Test Guidelines, EPA 560⁄6-82-002,
the chemical properties and biological activity have been
obtained. Data generated from the test can then be used to Chemical Fate Test Guideline, EPA 560⁄6-82-003, 1982
compare the potential terrestrial environmental hazards of a
3. Terminology
chemical.
3.1 Definitions:
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.1 soil-core terrestrial microcosm—an intact soil-core
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
containing the natural assemblages of biota surrounded by the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
boundary material. The system includes all equipment,
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
facilities, and instrumentation necessary to maintain, monitor,
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
and control the environment.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3.2.1 terrestrial microcosm or micro-ecosystem—aphysical
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
model of an interacting community of autotrophs, omnivores,
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
herbivores, carnivores and decomposers within an intact soil
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
profile. The forcing functions, for example, light intensity and
duration, water quality and watering regime, temperature, and
2. Referenced Documents
toxicant dose for the test system, are under the investigator’s
control. This test system is distinguished from test tube and
2.1 ASTM Standards:
single-species toxicity tests by the presence of a natural
1 3
ThisguideisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE50onEnvironmental The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
Assessment, Risk Management and CorrectiveAction and is the direct responsibil- www.astm.org.
ity of Subcommittee E50.47 on Biological Effects and Environmental Fate. Available from the Office of Pesticides andToxic Substances,Washington, DC.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2021. Published February 2021. Originally Also available as PB82 – 23992 from National Technical Information Service
approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as E1197–12. DOI: (NTIS), United States Department of Commerce, 5285 Port Royal Rd., Spring-
10.1520/E1197-12R21. field, VA 22161.
2 5
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Available from Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances, Washington, DC.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Also available as PB82 – 233008 from National Technical Information Service
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on (NTIS), United States Department of Commerce, 5285 Port Royal Rd., Spring-
the ASTM website. field, VA 22161.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E1197 − 12 (2021)
assemblage of organisms. This assemblage creates a higher 3.2.7 biota—the biota of the microcosm are characterized
order of ecological complexity and, thus, provides the capacity by the organisms in the soil at the time of extraction (1, 2) and
to evaluate chemical effects on component interactions and bythenaturalvegetationorcropsintroducedastheautotrophic
ecological processes. Certain features of this test system, component. The biota may include all heterotrophic and
however, set limits on the types of questions that can be carnivorousinvertebratestypicallyfoundinthesoilandallsoil
addressed. Those limitations are related to scale and sampling, and plant microbes.
which in turn constrain both (a) the type of ecosystems and
4. Significance and Use
species assemblages on which one can gain information, and
(b) the longevity of the test system.
4.1 This guide provides a test procedure for evaluating the
potential ecological impacts and environmental transport of a
3.2.2 physical, chemical, and biological conditions of test
chemical in an agricultural (tilled, low-till, or no-till) or natural
system—determined by the type of ecosystem from which the
field soil ecosystem that may be released or spilled into the
test system was extracted and by either the natural vegetation
environment. The suggested test procedures are designed to
in the ecosystem or the crops selected for planting. Vegetation
supply site-specific information for a chemical without having
and crop selection are constrained and determined by the size
to perform field testing. (See EPA 560⁄6-82-002 and
(width and depth) of the soil core extracted.
EPA 560⁄6-82-003.)
3.2.3 boundaries—the boundaries of the test system are
4.2 This guide is not specifically designed to address fate of
determinedbythesizeofthesoil-coreandthespaceneededfor
chemicals in soils of forested ecosystems. However, with some
vegetative growth.
modifications, it may be adapted for that purpose by the
3.2.4 light—light for the test system can be supplied by
individual investigator.
artificial means in either a growth chamber or a greenhouse, or
4.3 Specifically, this guide is used to determine the effect of
it can be the natural photoperiod occurring in a greenhouse. If
a chemical on (1) growth and reproduction of either natural
the test is performed in a growth chamber, the daily photope-
grassland vegetation or crops, and (2) nutrient uptake and
riod should be equal to or greater than the average monthly
cycling within the soil/plant system.Additionally, the soil-core
incident radiation (quantity and duration) for the month in
microcosm will provide information on (1) potential for
which the test is being simulated. During extremely short
bioaccumulation (enrichment) of the chemical into plant
natural photoperiods, which might not allow for flowering or
tissues, and (2) the potential for and rate of transport of the
seed-set, photoperiod should be artificially lengthened to in-
chemical through soil to groundwater.
duce those responses. The spectral quality of visible light
4.4 The results of this test should be used in conjunction
supplied during testing should simulate that of sunlight (for
with information on the chemical and biological activity of the
example, include commercially available visible full-spectrum
test substance to assess the relative environmental hazard and
lamps).
the potential for environmental movement once released.
3.2.5 water—water for the test system should either be
4.5 The test methods described in this guide are designed
purified, untreated laboratory water, should be precollected,
specifically for liquid or solid materials. Significant modifica-
filtered rainwater from the site or region being evaluated, or
tions of the exposure system would be necessary to accommo-
formulated rainwater (for example, based on rainfall of the
date chemicals that are volatile or that may be released in a
region). Chemical characterization of the water, either labora-
gaseous or aerosolized form. For methods that could be
tory or rainwater, is required and must be performed usingTest
adapted for use with volatile or gaseous test substances see
Methods D511, D515, D1426, and D3867.
Refs (3, 4, 5, 6).
3.2.6 soil—the soil-core used for the microcosm test should
4.6 Results of a multi-year soil-core microcosm test have
be an intact, undisturbed (nonhomogenized) core extracted
been correlated with data derived from a series of multi-year
from a soil type typical of the region or site of interest. The
field plot tests for a limited number of materials. Information
core should be of sufficient depth to allow a full growing
on the correlation between microcosm and field results can be
season for the natural vegetation or the crops selected, without
found in Refs (7, 8, 9, 10).
causing the plants to become significantly rootbound. Distur-
bances during extraction and preparation should be kept to a
5. Chemical Characterization of Test Substance and Soil
minimum. It should be noted that soil characteristics play an
5.1 Information Required on Test Substance:
important role in how the microcosm responds to a test
5.1.1 Minimum information required to properly design and
substance. In addition, within-site soil heterogeneity also
conductanexperimentonatestchemicalincludesthechemical
influences the microcosm response and contributes to a loss of
source, composition, degree of purity, nature and quantity of
sensitivity of the test. The approach used in this test system,
however, is based on a comparison of responses among and
between treatments rather than on the absolute values mea- 6
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of
sured. this guide.
E1197 − 12 (2021)
anyimpuritiespresent,andcertainphysiochemicalinformation this guide. According to Refs (6, 18), modification of the test
such as water solubility and vapor pressure at 25 °C (11, 12). system should be useful for handling gaseous or aerosolized
chemicals.
Ideally,thestructureofthetestchemicalshouldalsobeknown,
including functional groups, nature and position of substituting
5.2 Information Required on Soil:
groups, and degree of saturation. The octanol-water-partition
5.2.1 Soil sorption of an organic molecule depends on
coefficient,thedissociationconstant,thedegreeofpolarity,and
several properties of the chemical (molecular size, ionic
the pH of both pure and serial dilutions should also be known.
speciation, acid-base properties, polarity, and nature of func-
Where mixtures are involved or where a significant impurity
tional groups) and of the soil (for example, organic matter
(>1 %) occurs, data must be available on as many components
content, clay content, clay mineralogy and nature, pH, water
as practical. However, the octanol-water-partition coefficient
content, bulk density, cation exchange capacity, and percent
(K ) stands out as a key value for lipophilic compounds. Soil
base saturation). Highly sorbed chemicals may displace inor-
ow
partition coefficient (K ) can be determined or estimated, and
ganicnutrientionsfromexchangesitesinthesoilandalsomay
d
organiccarbonpartitioncoefficient(K )canbeestimatedfrom be effectively immobilized, depending on soil pH. Thus,
oc
log K using the organic matter content. Water solubility can
chemicals attracted more strongly to soil surfaces than to water
ow
be predicted with some degree of accuracy from log K if this may be very immobile in soil. In some cases, this may render
ow
value is less than seven. In combination with other chemical the compound relatively resistant to biodegradation. In other
cases, however, immobilization of the compound on soil
characteristics, log K can also be used to estimate Henry’s
ow
Law Constant and thus provide a rough estimate of the particles may render it susceptible to extracellular enzymatic
degradation. Specific information on descriptive data required
potential volatility of the test substance from soil solutions.
for soil can be found in 6.2.2.
5.1.2 Several tests may be needed to supply information on
environmental mobility and stability. Support information on
6. Terrestrial Microcosm Extraction and Maintenance
phytotoxicity, the physicochemical nature of the chemical, its
mammalian toxicity, or its ecological effects (for example,
6.1 Microcosm and Chamber Design:
species-specific LC , invertebrate toxicity, biodegradability)
6.1.1 A ≥ 60-cm deep by ≥ 10-cm diameter terrestrial
not only assist in proper design of the microcosm experiment, soil-core microcosm is designed to yield pertinent information
but also are useful in assessing the fate and effects of the
about a chemical for either a natural grassland ecosystem or an
chemical in a terrestrial microcosm. If the chemical is radio- agricultural ecosystem planted with a multiple-species crop
actively labeled, the position and specific element to be labeled (Fig.1) (7, 19, 8, 9, 20, 21).Theagriculturalmicrocosmisa10
should be specified. to 17-cm diameter tube of plastic pipe that is made of
ultra-high molecular weight, high-density, and nonplasticized
5.1.3 It is imperative to have an estimate of the test
polyethylene and contains an intact soil core (≥ 40 cm)
substancetoxicitytomammalsasaprecautionforoccupational
including topsoil.Amicrocosm for large plants may require an
safety. In addition, hydrolysis or photolysis rate constants
intact totally undisturbed 17-cm diameter by ≥60-cm deep test
should be known in order to determine necessary handling
system. The plastic pipe should be impermeable to water,
precautions. When a radiolabeled material is used, normal
light-weight,
...
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