EN 16414:2014

• Abstract:

  This European Standard describes the sampling protocol and the preparation of samples of in situ mosses to monitor the bioaccumulation of atmospheric contaminants.; This European Standard specifies the actions that shall be taken from the field sampling of mosses to their final preparation before analysis for targeted contaminants.; This European Standard is of interest to all operators wishing to conduct air quality biomonitoring studies.

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 25-Feb-2014
• Withdrawal Date: 30-Aug-2014
• ICS: 13.020.40 - Pollution, pollution control and conservation
• ICS: 13.040.20 - Ambient atmospheres
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 264 - Air quality
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 264/WG 31 - Biomonitoring methods with mosses and lichens
• Current Stage: 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
• Start Date: 06-Mar-2025
• Completion Date: 17-Sep-2026
• Ref Project: SIST EN 16414:2014 - Ambient air - Biomonitoring with mosses - Accumulation of atmospheric contaminants in mosses collected in situ: from the collection to the preparation of samples

Overview

EN 16414:2014 - Ambient air - Biomonitoring with mosses - Accumulation of atmospheric contaminants in mosses collected in situ: from the collection to the preparation of samples (CEN) defines a standardized protocol for collecting and preparing in situ terrestrial mosses for bioaccumulation studies. The standard covers the complete workflow from field sampling to final sample preparation before chemical analysis, ensuring reproducible data for ambient air biomonitoring using mosses.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and purpose: Specifies actions and requirements for using mosses as bioaccumulators to monitor atmospheric contaminants (metals, persistent organic pollutants, radionuclides).
• Terms and definitions: Establishes consistent vocabulary (e.g., biomonitoring, bioaccumulator, in situ moss, acrocarpous/pleurocarpous).
• Sampling design: Guidance on designing surveys for regional deposition patterns or localized emission-source monitoring.
• Sampling strategy:
  • Selection of moss species (terricolous, corticolous, saxicolous) suitable for in situ biomonitoring.
  • Period of collection and characteristics of sampling units.
• Sampling procedure: Field collection techniques, sample size/units, and packing for transport.
• Sample preparation:
  • Cleaning to remove extraneous debris,
  • Homogenization to produce representative subsamples,
  • Storage conditions prior to analysis.
• Equipment: Lists required field and laboratory equipment for safe, traceable sampling and preparation.
• Quality Control / Quality Assurance:
  • Assessment of overall variability,
  • Interspecies calibration considerations,
  • Sample storage impacts and QA record-keeping.
• Annexes: Examples of survey sheets, sampling unit layouts near point sources, and lists of commonly used moss species.

Applications and users

EN 16414:2014 is intended for practitioners involved in air quality biomonitoring and environmental assessment, including:

• Environmental agencies and monitoring networks
• Academic and research institutions conducting bioaccumulation studies
• Environmental laboratories preparing moss samples for chemical analysis
• Industry and permitting authorities (e.g., IPPC assessments) seeking baseline or impact data
• Conservation bodies performing non-intrusive environmental assessments around protected sites

Use cases include regional mapping of deposition patterns, monitoring localized emissions, baseline inventories prior to industrial activity, and long-term environmental impact studies.

Related standards and policy context

EN 16414:2014 aligns with EU air quality and environmental policy needs (referenced in the standard: Directive 2008/50/EC, Directive 2004/107/EC) and complements physico-chemical monitoring methods by providing biologically integrated evidence of atmospheric contamination.

Keywords: EN 16414:2014, biomonitoring, mosses, ambient air, sampling protocol, sample preparation, bioaccumulation, in situ mosses, air quality, CEN.

2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Außenluft - Biomonitoring mit Moosen - Akkumulation von Luftschadstoffen in Moosen (passives Monitoring): Probenahme und ProbenaufbereitungAir ambiant - Biosurveillance à l'aide de mousses - Accumulation des contaminants atmosphériques dans les mousses prélevées in situ: de la récolte à la préparation des échantillonssAmbient air - Biomonitoring with mosses - Accumulation of atmospheric contaminants in mosses collected in situ: from the collection to the preparation of samples13.040.20Kakovost okoljskega zrakaAmbient atmospheresICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 16414:2014SIST EN 16414:2014en,fr,de01-julij-2014SIST EN 16414:2014SLOVENSKI
STANDARD
EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM
EN 16414
February 2014 ICS 13.040.20 English Version
Ambient air - Biomonitoring with mosses - Accumulation of atmospheric contaminants in mosses collected in situ: from the collection to the preparation of samples
Air ambiant - Biosurveillance à l'aide de mousses - Accumulation des contaminants atmosphériques dans les mousses prélevées in situ: de la récolte à la préparation des échantillons
Außenluft - Biomonitoring mit Moosen - Akkumulation von Luftschadstoffen in Moosen (passives Monitoring): Probenahme und Probenaufbereitung This European Standard was approved by CEN on 13 December 2013.
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
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B-1000 Brussels © 2014 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CEN national Members. Ref. No. EN 16414:2014 ESIST EN 16414:2014

Example of a survey sheet . 14 Annex B (informative)
Example of the location of the sampling units near an emission source . 15 Annex C (informative)
List of main moss species used in published bioaccumulation studies . 16 Bibliography . 17
effect indicator organism which can indicate environmental conditions and their modification by either showing specific symptoms (molecular, biochemical, cellular, physiological, anatomical or morphological) or by its presence/absence in the ecosystem 2.5 acrocarpous moss moss with gametophyte producing sporophyte at apex of a stem or main branch, which generally grows erect in tufts (rather than mats) and are sparsely or not branched [SOURCE: Bibliographical reference [19], modified — The definition has been grammatically changed so that it can replace the term in context.] 2.6 pleurocarpous moss moss producing sporophytes laterally from a perichaetial bud or a short specialized branch rather than at the stem tip Note 1 to entry: With stems usually prostrate, creeping and freely branched moss growing in mats rather than tufts. [SOURCE: Bibliographical reference [19]] SIST EN 16414:2014
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