EN 17136:2019
(Main)Water quality - Guidance on field and laboratory procedures for quantitative analysis and identification of macroinvertebrates from inland surface waters
Water quality - Guidance on field and laboratory procedures for quantitative analysis and identification of macroinvertebrates from inland surface waters
This document gives guidance on the quantitative estimation of abundance and identification of macroinvertebrates in samples taken from inland waters. The procedure deals with pre-treatment (cleaning), sub-sampling, sorting, and final identification of organisms from preserved and unpreserved samples originating from natural habitats or artificial substrates and their transport to the laboratory. Specific guidance is given for preservation for DNA-analysis.
Wasserbeschaffenheit - Anleitung zu Feld- und Laborverfahren zur quantitativen Analyse und Bestimmung von Makroinvertebraten aus Binnenoberflächengewässern
Dieses Dokument ist eine Anleitung zur quantitativen Beurteilung der Abundanz und Bestimmung von Makroinvertebraten in Proben aus Binnengewässern. Das Verfahren befasst sich mit der Vorbehandlung (Reinigung), Herstellen von Teilproben, Sortierung und endgültigen Bestimmung von Organismen aus konservierten und lebenden Proben, die aus natürlichen Lebensräumen oder künstlichen Substraten stammen, und ihrem Transport zum Labor. Für die DNA-Analyse wird eine spezifische Anleitung zur Konservierung gegeben.
Qualité de l'eau - Guide sur les procédures de terrain et de laboratoire pour l’analyse quantitative et l’identification des macro-invertébrés des eaux de surface continentales
Le présent document donne des conseils sur l’estimation quantitative de l’abondance et l’identification des macro-invertébrés dans des échantillons provenant de milieux aquatiques continentaux. La procédure s’applique au prétraitement (nettoyage), au sous-échantillonnage, au tri et à l’identification finale des organismes provenant d’échantillons avec ou sans conservateurs, issus d’habitats naturels ou d’échantillonneurs de colonisation, ainsi qu’à leur transport au laboratoire. Des conseils spécifiques sont donnés au sujet de la conservation en vue de l’analyse ADN.
Kakovost vode - Navodilo za terenske in laboratorijske postopke kvantitativne analize in identifikacije velikih nevretenčarjev v celinskih površinskih vodah
Ta standard podaja navodilo za oceno številčnosti in identifikacijo velikih nevretenčarjev v vzorcih iz celinskih voda. Postopek obravnava predobdelavo (čiščenje), podvzorčenje, razvrščanje in dokončno identifikacijo organizmov iz ohranjenih in živih vzorcev, ki izhajajo iz naravnih habitatov ali umetnih substratov.
General Information
Overview
EN 17136:2019 (CEN) - "Water quality: Guidance on field and laboratory procedures for quantitative analysis and identification of macroinvertebrates from inland surface waters" - provides harmonised guidance for collecting, processing, preserving and identifying benthic and other macroinvertebrate samples. The standard supports quantitative estimation of abundance and taxonomic identification from samples taken in natural habitats or on artificial substrates, and includes specific guidance for DNA analysis and transport to the laboratory. It is particularly relevant for monitoring under the Water Framework Directive (WFD 2000/60/EC).
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope of procedures: Pre‑treatment (cleaning), sub‑sampling, sorting and final identification for preserved and unpreserved samples.
- Preservation and fixation:
- Formaldehyde fixation: recommended final concentration 4–6% for morphological fixation; avoid for DNA work and use with caution (hazardous).
- Ethanol preservation: use 96% initially to compensate residual water, target long‑term storage ~70–75%; for DNA work store in ≥90% ethanol and preferably cool/dark within 2 days (DNA degrades below ~80%).
- Containers: do not overfill; ensure organisms are fully immersed.
- Equipment and cleanliness:
- Sieves (smallest commonly 500 µm) must be checked for correct mesh and regularly inspected; for DNA studies clean equipment (e.g., bleach) between sample sites.
- Microscopy: stereo‑zoom (
10×–60×) for sorting; compound microscopes (40×–400×) for groups such as Chironomidae and Oligochaeta.
- Laboratory workflow: visual inspection to choose cleaning technique, rinsing, decanting, sample splitting, quantitative sorting (tray or microscope), and group‑specific identification protocols.
- Reagents: examples such as Koenike and laevulose syrup for compound microscope preparation are described.
- Safety and quality assurance: warnings about toxic preservatives (formaldehyde) and advice to implement QA procedures referenced in the standard.
Applications and users
- Routine ecological monitoring and compliance with WFD biological quality assessments.
- Researchers conducting freshwater biodiversity surveys, biomonitoring, ecotoxicology and habitat assessments.
- Environmental laboratories and field teams performing quantitative macroinvertebrate sampling, morphological identification and DNA‑based analyses (barcoding, metabarcoding).
- Environmental consultants, water authorities and research institutions requiring harmonised field and lab SOPs.
Related standards and notes
- EN 17136:2019 contains no normative references but is intended to be used alongside national monitoring frameworks and WFD guidance.
- Users should apply national health & safety regulations when handling preservatives (formaldehyde, ethanol) and follow local accreditation/QA requirements for ecological monitoring.
Frequently Asked Questions
EN 17136:2019 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Water quality - Guidance on field and laboratory procedures for quantitative analysis and identification of macroinvertebrates from inland surface waters". This standard covers: This document gives guidance on the quantitative estimation of abundance and identification of macroinvertebrates in samples taken from inland waters. The procedure deals with pre-treatment (cleaning), sub-sampling, sorting, and final identification of organisms from preserved and unpreserved samples originating from natural habitats or artificial substrates and their transport to the laboratory. Specific guidance is given for preservation for DNA-analysis.
This document gives guidance on the quantitative estimation of abundance and identification of macroinvertebrates in samples taken from inland waters. The procedure deals with pre-treatment (cleaning), sub-sampling, sorting, and final identification of organisms from preserved and unpreserved samples originating from natural habitats or artificial substrates and their transport to the laboratory. Specific guidance is given for preservation for DNA-analysis.
EN 17136:2019 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 13.060.10 - Water of natural resources. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
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Standards Content (Sample)
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.YDQWLWDWLYQHWasserbeschaffenheit - Anleitung zu Feld- und Laborverfahren zur quantitativen Analyse und Identifizierung von Makroinvertebraten aus Inland-OberflächengewässernQualité de l'eau - Guide sur les modes opératoires de terrain et de laboratoire pour l'analyse quantitative et d'identification des macro-invertébrés des eaux de surface intérieuresWater quality - Guidance on field and laboratory procedures for quantitative analysis and identification of macroinvertebrates from inland surface waters13.060.70Preiskava bioloških lastnosti vodeExamination of biological properties of water13.060.10Voda iz naravnih virovWater of natural resourcesICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 17136:2019SIST EN 17136:2019en,fr,de01-maj-2019SIST EN 17136:2019SLOVENSKI
STANDARD
EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM
EN 17136
February
t r s { ICS
s uä r x rä s r English Version
Water quality æ Guidance on field and laboratory procedures for quantitative analysis and identification of macroinvertebrates from inland surface waters Qualité de l 5eau æ Guide sur les procédures de terrain et de laboratoire pour l 5analyse quantitative et l 5identification des macroæinvertébrés des eaux de surface continentales
Wasserbeschaffenheit æ Anleitung zu Feldæ und Laborverfahren zur quantitativen Analyse und Bestimmung von Makroinvertebraten aus Binnenoberflächengewässern This European Standard was approved by CEN on
s v December
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egulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alterationä Upætoædate lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CENæCENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN memberä
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CENæCENELEC Management Centre has the same status as the official versionsä
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austriaá Belgiumá Bulgariaá Croatiaá Cyprusá Czech Republicá Denmarká Estoniaá Finlandá Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedoniaá Franceá Germanyá Greeceá Hungaryá Icelandá Irelandá Italyá Latviaá Lithuaniaá Luxembourgá Maltaá Netherlandsá Norwayá Polandá Portugalá Romaniaá Serbiaá Slovakiaá Sloveniaá Spainá Swedená Switzerlandá Turkey and United Kingdomä
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre:
Rue de la Science 23,
B-1040 Brussels
t r s { CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CEN national Membersä Refä Noä EN
s y s u xã t r s { ESIST EN 17136:2019
Examples of sample splitters and sorting tray . 16 Bibliography . 18
3.1 fixation protection from disintegration of the morphological structure of organisms 3.2 macroinvertebrate invertebrate that is easily visible without magnification (> 0,5 mm) and generally belongs to the group of organisms that live for at least one life stage on or in the bottom substrate or vegetation of inland surface waters 3.3 matrix components of a sample other than the macroinvertebrates 3.4 preservation process that protects organic substances from decay 4 Principle The identification and quantification of macroinvertebrates comprises both field and laboratory procedures. After an optional pre-treatment of rinsing and sieving in the field, macroinvertebrate samples are transported to the laboratory where the samples are further processed. Macroinvertebrates are taken out of the matrix material by a sample dependent technique, quantified and sorted in functional groups for identification using a microscope or DNA-analysis. Several techniques exist to clean (remove unwanted matrix material) the sample and sort the organisms. The most suitable technique should be selected by visual inspection of the individual sample. Dependent on the objective of the analysis samples can be preserved in the field or cooled and processed unpreserved. SIST EN 17136:2019
· 90 % ethanol and preferably stored in a cool and dark place. At concentrations below 80 % DNA will degenerate. 5.4 Reagents for examination using compound microscopes 5.4.1 General Many chemicals are known to enhance the microscope image quality in order to be able to accurately describe diagnostic features. The most relevant chemicals including mounting media can be found in group specific identification literature. Koenike and Laevulose syrup, presented below, are the most often used reagents. Koenike can also be used as a preservative for Arachnida (mites). 5.4.2 Koenike Mix 50 ml of glycerol with 30 ml of water and add 20 ml of acetic acid. This clear solution can be stored at room temperature for an unlimited period of time. 5.4.3 Laevulose syrup Dilute 25 g D(-)Fructose in 25 ml water by proper stirring (magnetic stirring bar). The solution can be slightly heated. Thereafter add 25 ml of lactic acid and stir again. This clear solution can be stored at room temperature for an unlimited period of time. 6 Pre-laboratory procedure 6.1 General The pre-laboratory procedure starts with a visual inspection of the sample to assess the amount of matrix material (silt, clay, sand, macrophytes) and the number of organisms. With this information the right procedure for pre-treatment and sorting can be selected. It can be done in the field directly after sampling or in the laboratory. The general objective is to select the organisms in the most effective way (least amount of time). If sub-sampling is necessary it should be done in a random way. When not all organisms have to be identified selectivity in sorting of taxa should be avoided. Before collecting the organisms the sample should be rinsed and cleaned and/or sub-divided in smaller portions. In case of unpreserved samples macroinvertebrates are collected alive in larger trays with the naked eye or with the use of a magnifying glass. SIST EN 17136:2019
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Le document SIST EN 17136:2019 présente des directives précieuses concernant la qualité de l'eau, en se concentrant sur les procédures de terrain et de laboratoire pour l'analyse quantitative et l'identification des macroinvertébrés provenant des eaux superficielles intérieures. Cette norme offre un cadre clair pour l'estimation quantitative de l'abondance et l'identification des macroinvertébrés dans des échantillons, ce qui est crucial pour les études écologiques et la gestion des ressources en eau. L'un des principaux points forts de cette norme est son approche méthodique concernant le prétraitement des échantillons, le sous-échantillonnage, le tri, et l'identification finale des organismes, qu'ils soient préservés ou non. Cette structuration garantit que les analyses soient effectuées avec précision, minimisant ainsi les marges d'erreur et améliorant la fiabilité des données collectées. De plus, la norme SIST EN 17136:2019 met un accent particulier sur les procédures de préservation pour l'analyse ADN, ce qui s'avère particulièrement pertinent dans le contexte actuel où l'analyse génétique prend de plus en plus d'importance dans les études environnementales. Cela permet de conserver l'intégrité des échantillons, tout en facilitant des analyses plus approfondies et spécifiques. La pertinence de ce document ne se limite pas seulement à la recherche scientifique. Il est également indispensable pour les professionnels travaillant dans le domaine de la gestion de l'eau et la conservation de la biodiversité, leur fournissant des directives claires pour évaluer la santé des écosystèmes aquatiques. En résumé, la norme SIST EN 17136:2019 constitue une ressource essentielle pour ceux qui s'engagent dans l'étude et la gestion des macroinvertébrés aquatiques, favorisant une meilleure compréhension et une protection accrue de nos ressources en eau.
SIST EN 17136:2019は、内陸の表水からのマクロ無脊椎動物の定量的分析及び同定に関するフィールドおよびラボ手順に関する手引きを提供する標準規格です。この文書の範囲は、内水から採取したサンプルの豊富さの定量的推定とマクロ無脊椎動物の同定に関するものであり、研究者や環境監視に関わる専門家にとって非常に重要です。 この標準の大きな強みは、無脊椎動物の前処理（洗浄）、サブサンプリング、ソーティング、そして保存されたサンプルや未保存のサンプルからの最終同定手順に対する具体的な指針を提供している点です。この手順は、自然環境や人工基盤に起源を持つサンプルからマクロ無脊椎動物を適切に分析するために必要な方法論を明確に示しています。また、DNA分析のための保存に関しても詳細なガイダンスが含まれており、現代の分子生物学的手法に対応した信頼性の高い結果を得るための基盤を提供しています。 さらに、SIST EN 17136:2019の重要性は、環境科学や生態学、淡水生物学の分野において、透過的で再現性のあるデータを生成するための基準を確立する点にあります。この文書は、内陸水域の健康状態を評価し、生物多様性の監視や保全活動を行うために不可欠なツールとなります。 したがって、SIST EN 17136:2019はマクロ無脊椎動物の調査における標準的な手法を確立し、その科学的なアプローチを支えるものとして非常に関連性のある標準です。
EN 17136:2019 표준은 내수면 수역에서 거대 미세동물의 양적 분석 및 식별을 위한 야외 및 실험실 절차에 대한 지침을 제공합니다. 이 문서는 내수에서 채취한 샘플에서 거대 미세동물의 풍부함을 정량적으로 추정하고 식별하는 데 필요한 절차를 상세히 기술하고 있습니다. 구체적으로 이 표준은 샘플의 전처리(세척), 하위 샘플링, 분류 및 보존 및 비보존 샘플 유래의 유기체 최종 식별을 포함합니다. EN 17136:2019의 강점은 내수면 거대 미세동물 연구를 위한 체계적인 접근 방식을 제공하는 데 있습니다. 이 표준은 보존 과정에서 DNA 분석을 위한 특별한 지침을 포함하고 있어 연구자들이 미생물의 유전자 분석을 통해 보다 정교한 데이터를 얻을 수 있도록 합니다. 또한 자연 서식지 또는 인공 기질에서 유래한 샘플의 정확한 식별을 통해 내수 생태계의 건강을 평가하고 모니터링할 수 있는 중요한 도구로 기능합니다. 본 문서는 내수 생태학적 연구뿐만 아니라 생물 다양성 보존, 수질 관리 및 환경 모니터링 분야에서도 적용될 수 있는 가치를 지니고 있습니다. 따라서 EN 17136:2019 표준은 우리는 거대 미세동물의 조사 및 분석을 위한 중요한 지침이며, 환경 연구자와 정책 입안자들에게 필수적인 자료로 자리매김하고 있습니다.
Das Dokument SIST EN 17136:2019 bietet umfassende Leitlinien zur quantitativen Analyse und Identifizierung von Makroinvertebraten in Binnengewässern. Es behandelt alle wesentlichen Aspekte, die für die Erfassung von Daten über die Häufigkeit und Vielfalt von Organismen notwendig sind. Besonders hervorgehoben werden die Schritte des Vorbehandlungsprozesses, das Sub-Sampling sowie die Sortierung und endgültige Identifizierung der Organismen, was für die korrekte Datenerhebung entscheidend ist. Ein wesentlicher Bestandteil dieser Norm ist die detaillierte Anleitung zur Behandlung von sowohl konservierten als auch nicht konservierten Proben. Dies ist besonders relevant für wissenschaftliche Studien, Umweltüberwachungen und ökologischen Bewertungen, da die Qualität der Probenvorbereitung maßgeblich die Ergebnisse der Analysen beeinflusst. Die Norm gibt spezifische Empfehlungen zur Aufbewahrung für DNA-Analysen, was die Relevanz für moderne biologische Forschungsansätze und Biodiversitätsstudien unterstreicht. Die Stärke der EN 17136:2019 liegt in ihrer praktischen Anwendung. Sie erleichtert es Forschern und Fachleuten, standardisierte Verfahren zu befolgen, die zu reproduzierbaren und verlässlichen Ergebnissen führen. Die Norm schafft eine Grundlage für den Vergleich von Daten aus verschiedenen Studien und Regionen, was für die Entwicklung von Strategien im Bereich des Gewässerschutzes unerlässlich ist. Insgesamt bietet die SIST EN 17136:2019 eine wertvolle Ressource für alle, die sich mit der Analyse und Identifizierung von Makroinvertebraten in Binnengewässern beschäftigen. Ihre klaren Richtlinien und Verfahren fördern nicht nur die wissenschaftliche Integrität, sondern tragen auch zur Nachhaltigkeit und zum Schutz unserer Wasserressourcen bei.
The standard EN 17136:2019 provides a comprehensive framework for the quantitative analysis and identification of macroinvertebrates in inland surface waters. Its scope covers essential procedures that are crucial for environmental monitoring and research, particularly in assessing aquatic ecosystems. One of the key strengths of this document is its detailed guidance on pre-treatment processes, including cleaning and sub-sampling techniques. This ensures that the samples used for analysis are properly prepared, thus enhancing the accuracy and reliability of the results. Furthermore, the standard outlines meticulous sorting and final identification processes for both preserved and unpreserved samples, which is vital for researchers and practitioners who rely on precise species identification to evaluate water quality and biodiversity. Additionally, EN 17136:2019 places significant emphasis on the preservation methods employed for DNA analysis. This aspect is particularly relevant given the increasing importance of genetic techniques in biodiversity assessments, allowing for enhanced understanding of macroinvertebrate communities and their responses to environmental changes. The relevance of this standard cannot be overstated, as it supports effective data collection and analysis methodologies critical for freshwater conservation efforts. By implementing the practices outlined in EN 17136:2019, stakeholders can ensure that their assessments of macroinvertebrate populations are both robust and aligned with current scientific standards. Overall, this standard serves as an invaluable resource for professionals engaged in water quality monitoring and ecological research.
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