ISO 16133:2004

Soil quality - Guidance on the establishment and maintenance of monitoring programmes

ISO 16133:2004 gives general guidance on the selection of procedures for the establishment and maintenance of programmes for long-term monitoring of soil quality. It takes into account the large number of objectives for soil-monitoring programmes. ISO 16133:2004 is intended to help provide a basis for dialogue between parties which might be involved in a monitoring scheme. Examples of soil-monitoring programmes from several countries are provided in Annex A.

Qualité du sol — Lignes directrices pour l'établissement et l'entretien de programmes de surveillance

L'ISO 16133:2004 donne des lignes directrices générales pour la sélection de procédures visant à établir et entretenir des systèmes de surveillance à long terme de la qualité du sol. Elle tient compte du grand nombre d'objectifs visés par les programmes de surveillance du sol. L'ISO 16133:2004 vise à fournir une aide à l'instauration d'une base de dialogue entre les parties susceptibles d'être impliquées dans un système de surveillance. Des exemples de programmes de surveillance du sol appliqués dans plusieurs pays sont donnés dans l'Annexe A.

Kakovost tal – Navodilo za vzpostavitev in vzdrževanje programov monitoringa

General Information

• Status: Withdrawn
• Publication Date: 11-Mar-2004
• Withdrawal Date: 11-Mar-2004
• ICS: 13.080.01 - Soil quality and pedology in general
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 190/SC 7 - Impact assessment
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 190/SC 7 - Impact assessment
• Current Stage: 9599 - Withdrawal of International Standard
• Start Date: 30-Nov-2018
• Completion Date: 13-Dec-2025
• Ref Project: SIST ISO 16133:2006 - Soil quality -- Guidance on the establishment and maintenance of monitoring programmes

Relations

• Consolidated By: ISO 25140:2010 - Stationary source emissions - Automatic method for the determination of the methane concentration using flame ionisation detection (FID)
• Effective Date: 06-Jun-2022
• Revised: ISO 16133:2018 - Soil quality - Guidance on the establishment and maintenance of monitoring programmes
• Effective Date: 04-Nov-2015

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 16133
First edition
2004-03-15
Soil quality — Guidance on the
establishment and maintenance of
monitoring programmes
Qualité du sol — Lignes directrices pour l'établissement et l'entretien
de programmes de surveillance
Reference number
©
ISO 2004
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©  ISO 2004
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ii © ISO 2004 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword. iv
Introduction . v
1 Scope. 1
2 Terms and definitions. 1
3 Monitoring objectives. 3
3.1 General. 3
3.2 Examples of monitoring purposes. 4
4 Monitoring programme. 4
4.1 General considerations. 4
4.2 Elements of a monitoring programme . 5
4.2.1 Status of the monitoring sites . 5
4.2.2 Changes at the monitoring sites . 5
4.2.3 Interpretation of status and changes. 6
4.2.4 Selection of sites. 6
4.3 Sampling and measurement. 7
4.3.1 General. 7
4.3.2 Site design and identification . 7
4.3.3 Soil and site description. 7
4.3.4 Sampling. 7
4.3.5 Field and laboratory measurements . 7
4.3.6 Specimen banking. 7
4.3.7 Time interval between samplings. 8
5 Data quality and quantity . 8
Annex A (informative) Examples of monitoring programmes . 9
Bibliography . 33

iii
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 16133 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 190, Soil quality, Subcommittee SC 7, Soil and site
assessment.
iv
Introduction
Monitoring is the process of repetitive observation, for defined purposes, of one or more components of the
environment according to pre-arranged schedules in space and time using comparable methods for
environmental sensing and data collection (see reference [1] in the Bibliography). Monitoring schemes are
used all over the world for a large number of purposes. Soil monitoring, particularly, is a long-term undertaking.
The quality and the utility of the information from the monitoring is to a large degree determined by the choice
of monitoring sites and by their maintenance over the years, and by appropriate quality control at all stages of
the process.
Monitoring associated with industrial (contaminated) sites can involve many specific considerations, including
legal requirements. The guidance in this International Standard is not designed or intended to cover such
situations.
v
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 16133:2004(E)

Soil quality — Guidance on the establishment and maintenance
of monitoring programmes
1 Scope
This International Standard gives general guidance on the selection of procedures for the establishment and
maintenance of programmes for long-term monitoring of soil quality. It takes into account the large number of
objectives for soil-monitoring programmes.
This International Standard is intended to help provide a basis for dialogue between parties which might be
involved in a monitoring scheme. Examples of soil-monitoring programmes from several countries are
provided in Annex A.
2 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
2.1
accumulation
increase of the concentration of a substance in soil due to substance input being larger than substance output
NOTE Adapted from ISO 11074-1:1996
2.2
anthropogenic influence
changes in soil properties caused by human activities
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
2.3
background concentration
natural pedogeochemical content
geogeneous or pedogeneous average concentration of a substance in an examined soil
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
2.4
diffuse source input
non-point source input
input of a substance emitted from moving sources, from sources with a large area or from many sources
NOTE 1 The sources can be cars, application of substances through agricultural practices, emissions from town or
region, deposition of sediment through flooding of a river.
NOTE 2 Diffuse source input usually leads to sites that are relatively uniformly contaminated. At some sites, the input
conditions may nevertheless cause a higher local input near the source or where atmospheric deposition/rain is increased.
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
2.5
leaching
movement of dissolved substances caused by the movement of water or other liquids in the soil
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
2.6
locally contaminated site
site with discrete areas of high concentrations of substances hazardous to soil
NOTE The extent of contamination is usually small and the gradient of concentration within the site is steep.
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
2.7
monitoring
process of repetitive observation, for defined purposes, of one or more elements of the environment according
to pre-arranged schedules in space and time using comparable methods for environmental sensing and data
collection
2.8
monitoring site
area in which investigations will take place
NOTE Areas which are relatively homogeneous are usually chosen.
2.9
point-source input
input of a substance from a stationary discrete source of definite size
NOTE 1 The sources can be stack emissions, accidental spills, waste dumps, spills on industrial sites, major leaks
from sewers and other pipelines.
NOTE 2 Point-source input can cause both locally contaminated sites and relatively uniformly contaminated sites.
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
2.10
risk assessment
assessment of damaging effects of a polluted site on man and the environment with respect to their nature,
extent and probability of occurrence
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
2.11
sample
portion of material selected from a large quantity of material
[ISO 11074-2:1998]
2.12
sampling
process of drawing or constituting a sample
[ISO 3534-1:1993]
2 © ISO 2004 – All rights reserved

NOTE For the purpose of soil investigation, “sampling” also relates to selection of locations for the purpose of in situ
testing carried out in the field without removal of material.
[ISO 11074-2:1998]
2.13
sampling point
location within the monitoring site at which physical sampling takes place
2.14
sampling procedure
operational requirements and/or instructions relating to the use of a particular sampling plan
[ISO 11074-2:1998]
2.15
soil damage
alteration of soil properties which cause negative effects on one or more soil functions, human health or
environment
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
2.16
substance input
movement of a substance from another environmental compartment into a soil
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
2.17
substance output
movement of a substance from the soil into another environmental compartment
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
2.18
uniformly contaminated site
site with a generally uniform concentration of a substance hazardous to soil
NOTE The extent of the contamination is usually large and the gradient of concentration within the site is rather
shallow.
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
3 Monitoring objectives
3.1 General
Monitoring is an important tool for the early detection of environmental impact on soil and soil processes. It
thus has a major role in the prevention or minimization of environmental damage or the detection of
environmental improvement. By the early detection of environmental impact, or the potential for such impact, a
monitoring programme could help to reduce or remove the costs of reaching or maintaining a given level of
environmental management, protection or quality.
Monitoring programmes can also be used to evaluate the outcome of environmental policies, to assist in the
development of strategies for soil protection and environment management. They can also serve as research
platforms for the development and validation of field and analytical methods and of models of soil and related
environmental processes.
The range of purposes for which soil-monitoring programmes can be designed encompasses such a vast
range of time scales, variables and processes that it is not possible to give specific guidance on the design of
a monitoring programme to meet all the objectives which might be covered by this diversity. The selection of
sites, sampling schemes, etc. should be made from a consideration of the specific objectives of the particular
monitoring programme. This International Standard identifies the principles underlying such programmes.
3.2 Examples of monitoring purposes
The following list gives some examples of monitoring purposes:
 short-, intermediate- and long-term environmental impacts varying in magnitude, importance, duration
and probability;
 changes in chemical, biological and physical soil properties (e.g. pH, adsorption processes, toxic element
accumulation, radiation, compaction, erosion) and the dynamics of changes in such properties;
 effects of human impacts;
 differentiation of human impacts from inter-annual variability and longer-term climate change;
 differentiation of local contamination from long-range transport;
 evaluation of productivity;
 assessment of biological diversity;
 input of elements into the soil environment and output of elements from the soil environment;
 transport processes in the soil profile (gases; particles; elements or compounds in solution);
 calculations of elements uptake and retention by particular components of the ecosystem.
4 Monitoring programme
4.1 General considerations
It is generally not feasible to monitor all variables at all locations. Wherever possible, consideration should be
given to the monitoring of soil properties which, as well as being of specific interest themselves, might also act
as a surrogate for some property or process which is otherwise difficult, time consuming or expensive to
measure directly. For example, soil pH and clay content (a potential surrogate for soil hydrological behaviour)
might act as factors for ranking pollutant mobility. It will be important to establish what long-term records
already exist at a site before identifying additional variables for monitoring and what degree of continuity of
measurement is required into the future. The close reciprocal benefits of monitoring and research on specific
scientific questions should be considered.
The final series of potential monitoring options should be ranked according to their value (scientific relevance;
sensitivity to impacts; value as an index for changes in many other environmental variables that are not
measured) and feasibility (financial, logistic, analytical, ease of interpretation). This prioritization should also
be revised and updated at regular intervals. The costs of appropriate storage of samples and long-term quality
assurance, e.g. cross-checking when improvements in analytical techniques are made, should not be
underestimated.
4 © ISO 2004 – All rights reserved

Identification of habitat types is a key element of the monitoring plan, and is also a logical starting point for the
development of an environmental monitoring strategy. It is also necessary to consider the number of sites that
might be required to give appropriate spatial and temporal cover for the monitoring, and whether the site
density is appropriate for all variables. It is usually impractical to establish sites that cover all combinations of
soil and habitat. Consideration needs to be given, for example, to combinations that are most common or
most sensitive to a given impact. It should be remembered that other research, into e.g. water quality or
biodiversity, might be possible on the same site, thus adding to its value.
Some other factors that have to be considered are the following:
 partners and organizations involved, and an assessment of their objectives and long-term commitment;
 existing guides and protocols, and the degree to which they satisfy the objectives of the programme;
 ownership of sites, and likely long-term commitment of the site or sites to a monitoring programme;
 availability of sites;
 effects of future changes in land use (if this is an important factor), or the landscape in the vicinity of the
site(s) since changes might affect the usefulness of the site in the long term;
 the funding of the programme, and its long-term security;
 quality assurance, including documentation (see below);
 data management, accessibility of the data, intellectual property and issues of confidentiality and rights to
publish.
It is very strongly recommended that all parties to a long-term monitoring programme agree to the objectives,
funding, mutual responsibilities and other relevant issues before a monitoring programme begins, and that
they enter into a formal agreement which defines each party's role in the programme, including financial and
legal constraints.
4.2 Elements of a monitoring programme
4.2.1 Status of the monitoring sites
The history of all sites, which might be considered, should be documented. This is an essential part of any
assessment of representativeness, and ensures that the chances of the unexpected, which might jeopardize
the usefulness of the site, are minimized. Such assessment can involve the characterizing of present-day soil
properties at representative sites. Issues such as ownership, access, etc. (see 4.1) can usually be resolved at
this stage. Information about other monitoring programmes forms part of this preliminary investigation.
4.2.2 Changes at the monitoring sites
The purpose of measuring change in soil properties should be clear from the start. It may also be useful to
invert the question and ask what changes could be measured using such a particular site or programme
design, even if all the properties might not be required at the start. Sites which allow expansion of activity for
future needs can have advantages over more limited sites. It might be that one purpose of the programme is
to establish changes in soil properties (e.g. pH, humus content, levels of toxic substances, water permeability,
microbiological activity) and the dynamics of changes in such properties over shorter rather than longer time
scales. This has large implications for the amount of soil sampling, and thus site disturbance, which the site
might have to accommodate without having its functions seriously affected. The possibility of investigating
other environmental compartments can make one site a more attractive proposition than another, especially if
it interests a larger group of researchers, funders, etc.
4.2.3 Interpretation of status and changes
The data on status and changes may be used to interpret the following:
 reference/background properties;
 degradation/improvement of one or more soil characteristics and functions (and the effect of this on other
soil or site properties);
 short-term and long-term environmental impact and bioavailability of extraneous inputs, applied wastes,
atmospheric or water-borne substances or off-site management;
 ecological functions of soils;
 productivity functions of soils;
 influence on other environmental compartments, or of these on the soils at the site.
4.2.4 Selection of sites
The sites should be selected so that they are suitable for the objectives of the programme with respect to
geology, soil type, vegetation and land use, topography, climate and ecological habitat. Other important
criteria are anthropogenic impact and natural background conditions (e.g. trace element levels, acidity, salinity,
buffer capacity).
The choice of geographical distribution of monitoring sites is often influenced by the degree of pre-existing
knowledge of the landscape or soil pattern. Where relatively little is known, statistical approaches are often the
most appropriate, although this can imply considerable preliminary investigation to establish the variability of
the area in question. In general, there are four main choices in the selection of geographical distribution. They
are listed below without priority.
 Regular grid. The sites are selected using a regular grid. In order to provide representative data, this
approach generally requires a large number of sites. The interval between the grid points is very
dependent on the size of the area of interest, as well as the degree of change being measured in the
property. The smaller the change to be measured in a property, the larger the number of sites required in
a given area.
 Statistical approach. The sites are selected by using (geo)statistically produced patterns, designed to
minimize the required number of sites. However, this implies considerable preliminary investigation, as
geostatistical investigations have, as their central aim, the establishment of a reliable variogram for a
given property. If the different properties have different degrees of spatial dependence, as they often do in
soils, then the number of sites needed to establish this can be as large as that for the regular grid.
 Hypothesis-oriented approach. The monitoring options are evaluated on the basis of their ability to
detect and quantify impacts hypothesized to result from specific human activities. The sensitivity, spatial
extent and frequency of monitoring have to be appropriate to detect the hypothesized impacts. This can
also involve considerable preliminary investigation.
 Typological approach. This is based on a stratification of soils according to land use and/or soil type, or
soil horizon, on soil parent material, or soil extent, or distance from potential contamination sources, etc.
In order to make efficient use of available resources, it is always important to consider the possibilities to
integrate the sites with other monitoring programmes. Examples of selection of monitoring sites are given in
Annex A. Both synergistic and disturbing effects (e.g. caused by sampling activities or experimental
treatments) should be considered if sites are to be used for different monitoring programmes.
6 © ISO 2004 – All rights reserved

4.3 Sampling and measurement
4.3.1 General
A sampling and measurement plan is an important part of a monitoring programme. Such a plan should
include procedures in the following areas.
4.3.2 Site design and identification
The chosen site(s) should allow the range of measurements appropriate for the objectives of the soil-
monitoring programme, and any other monitoring activities which add value to this programme. The layout of
the site should allow repeated representative sampling, without compromising the overall functioning of the
site or the soils within it. The site should be protected from unwanted external disturbances.
The choice of sampling points within the monitoring site depends on several factors. The sampling point might
have to allow for the digging of soil-profile pits, the installation of soil instruments, repeated sampling by
augers, possibly the introduction of designed experiments, e.g. to test the effect of different cropping regimes
on the properties monitored, and so on. These factors shall be estimated at the preliminary stage, and the site
design modified to include them. If none of these larger factors needs to be allowed for, the sampling point
may be located at the centroid of the monitoring site.
4.3.3 Soil and site description
Soil and site description should be performed in accordance with ISO 15903 and ISO 11259.
4.3.4 Sampling
Sampling includes for example the sampling strategy, sampling techniques, labelling, transport and storage.
Whenever possible International Standards should be used, see Bibliography. Careful thought should be
given to sampling schemes so as to cause minimum disturbance to the site and its properties. Some
examples covering the principles of the design and implementation of soil monitoring programmes are given in
Annex A.
4.3.5 Field and laboratory measurements
Field and laboratory measurements should be selected according to the objectives.
It is strongly recommended that the following minimum data set of chemical and physical parameters be
included, as many of these underpin the interpretation of soil data in the wider context: pH, organic carbon
content, cation exchange capacity, electrical conductivity, dry matter content, particle size distribution and bulk
density. There is no recommended minimum data set for biological parameters, as the choice depends on the
objectives. Standardized methods should be used wherever possible.
The relevant International Standards for the recommended minimum data set are given in the Bibliography.
Examples of selection of parameters in relation to the purpose of the monitoring objectives are given in
Annex A.
4.3.6 Specimen banking
A specified portion of each sample should be stored for future needs as appropriate. Sufficient sample should
be taken so as to allow re-analysis of many of the properties for an extended period into the future. A
specimen bank also makes it possible to include new forms of analysis in the monitoring programme at a later
date.
It should be considered at the outset whether special storage conditions, e.g. temperature or humidity, have to
be maintained in order to guarantee that important parameters will remain stable over time. In some cases
samples should be stored frozen, rather than dried. If determinations of some parameters have to be
postponed, for financial or other reasons, and long-time parameter stability cannot be guaranteed, efforts
should be made to determine these parameters at the earliest possible occasion.
Contamination from sample containers should be minimized by careful choice of storage media.
The costs of specimen banking over many years can be considerable. The amount of space required to store
samples in the long term can be considerable if many samples are involved, whether they are from separate
sites, or numerous locations within one site, or both.
4.3.7 Time interval between samplings
The planned time interval depends on the objectives and parameters (e.g. spatial variability, dynamics, and
expected changes). It should be taken into account that time intervals may have to be changed because of
unexpected events, and almost certainly will differ with different variables.
5 Data quality and quantity
The quality of the data obtained can be assured by
 proper training of all staff, not only of those involved at the start of the project, but also of those who
replace them over time. It is strongly recommended to keep a record of the training given,
 setting formal data quality objectives (e.g. for accuracy, reproducibility, etc.),
 using sampling procedures based on guidance in International Standards,
 using standardized analytical and test methods such as those listed in the Bibliography or, where
International Standard methods are not available, those published by national standardization
organizations or official bodies,
[32]
 using laboratories which apply methods accredited under ISO 17025 ,
 using laboratories that take part in relevant proficiency testing schemes,
 using commissioning agents who employ their own quality assurance procedures,
 adherence to agreed protocols,
 the keeping of proper records at all stages of the monitoring programme, ensuring that these records
remain readable and unambiguous, and keeping such records in an accessible place.
As monitoring is a long-term undertaking, it may be impossible to avoid changes in methodology and/or use of
different laboratories. It is very important to keep a record of such changes and to calculate the correlation
between parameter values before and after the changes. For coding of data, a codification key should be
defined. Comparability of these data with international systems of soil information should be considered.
The amount of data generated from monitoring programmes may be considerable. It is strongly recommended
to estimate the quantity of data at the outset, and to make an appropriate plan for data storage. If not well
planned, this can present a formidable logistical problem when sampling programmes run for decades.
Commonly used database systems should be employed. It is good practice to appoint a person or a unit in the
organization to be responsible for the security of the database and for handling back-up procedures.
8 © ISO 2004 – All rights reserved

Annex A
(informative)
Examples of monitoring programmes
A.1 Introduction
This annex contains short presentations, in tabular form, of different regional and national monitoring
programmes. The examples provide the reader with a general understanding of the objectives of the
programmes and how they have been set up to reach the objectives.
A.2 Examples
A.2.1 The agricultural environmental monitoring programme in Norway (JOVA)
Title The agricultural environmental monitoring programme in Norway (JOVA)
Level National
Area of activity Soil erosion, nutrient loss, pesticides and heavy metals.
Context The Norwegian Ministry of Agriculture initiated the programme in cooperation with the
Ministry of Environment in 1992. It is a nationwide programme. Initially it focussed on
monitoring of erosion and nutrient losses from agricultural soils, but in 1995 the
programme was extended to include pesticides and heavy metals.
The programme is based on monitoring of small agricultural catchments, representing
major cropping systems under varying soil and climatic conditions.
Monitoring objectives The primary objectives of the programme are
 to give the public administration in Norway a basis for implementing a cost-
effective environmental policy,
 to document the result of environmental efforts within agriculture as compared to
the Ministerial Convention of the North Sea,
 to inform the agricultural sector about the environmental impact of agricultural
practices and the result of environmental efforts.
Number of sites In the year 2000 the programme covered 13 catchments in different parts of Norway.
The first two were established in 1985, the rest in 1990 or later.
Catchment size varies between 65 and 2 000 ha, with 35 % to 60 % of the main land
use being agriculture. Livestock density varies, and up to 54 % of a catchment area
may be forested.
Criteria for site Sites for monitoring nutrients and erosion are chosen to represent different soils,
selection agricultural practices and climates in Norway. Priority is given to sites with as few
point-sources as possible. Agriculture is aimed to be the dominant source of pollution.
The sites for pesticide analysis are chosen from areas with high frequency of
pesticide use.
Sampling plan Soil and nutrient losses, pesticides and heavy metals are measured at catchment
monitoring stations. Eleven monitoring stations continuously record water discharge,
and volume-proportional water samples are collected automatically. These monitoring
stations are directly linked to the main office, enabling automatic data retrieval. The
two remaining monitoring stations sample point samples only for pesticide analysis.
Field observations Soil types in the catchments are mapped according to a standardized method and
classified according to the Canadian System of Soil Classification (CSSC) and the
World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB).
Continuous discharge measurements are carried out using a V-notch or a Crump weir
in combination with a Campbell data logger. Water samples are taken on a volume-
proportional basis. The average yearly temperature, and for some stations
precipitation, is measured.
Although the catchments are usually less than 700 ha in size, additional
measurements for two catchments are carried out for a field in connection to the main
catchment. This enables researchers to obtain information about retention and
transformation processes in agricultural areas.
Farm practices, such as soil tillage, fertilizer and manure application, crop type and
crop yields, are recorded annually in each catchment. This is of particular importance,
as one of the main goals of the programme is to relate losses of plant nutrients to
catchment characteristics and changes in agricultural practices.
Laboratory Soil samples from 7 to 15 randomly selected fields in 6 of the catchments were
measurements analysed for texture, P-AL, total nitrogen, and ignition loss. For these fields, mineral
nitrogen is analysed twice a year.
Water samples are regularly analysed for content of total nitrogen, nitrate, total
phosphorus, phosphate, suspended solids and pH.
Analyses of pH, suspended solids and total phosphorus are carried out using
Norwegian standard methods, while de facto standards based on international
methods are used for the analysis of phosphate-phosphorus, nitrate-nitrogen and
total nitrogen.
Soil archive Results from the programme are stored in a database at Jordforsk.
Soil and water samples are not stored.
Contact address Jordforsk — the Norwegian Centre for Soil and Environmental Research
Frederik A. Dahls vei 20
N-1432 Aas
Norway
http://www.jordforsk.no/jovabase/frame.htm

10 © ISO 2004 – All rights reserved

A.2.2 Environmental Change Network (United Kingdom)
Title Environmental Change Network
Level UK
Area of activity Soil
Context The UK decided at the beginning of the 1990s that a programme was needed to
assess the long-term change in soil properties at the national scale. This resulted in
the establishment of the Environmental Change Network (ECN)
Monitoring objectives The objectives of the network are
 to establish and maintain a selected set of sites within the UK from which to
obtain comparable long-term data sets by means of measurements at regular
intervals of variables identified as being of major environmental importance,
 to provide for the integration and analysis of these data sets, so as to identify
environmental changes, and to improve understanding of the causes of change,
 to make these long-term data sets available as a basis for research and
prediction,
 to provide, for research purposes, a range of representative sites where there is
good instrumentation and reliable environmental information.
Number of sites 13
Criteria for site The sites were chosen at experimental stations largely under the control of
selection governmental and quasi-governmental organizations, in order to ensure that long-
term continuity of measurement was likely to remain possible. The sites are
representative of a wide range of soil types and habitats, from mountain bog to
lowland agriculture.
Sampling plan The sites are first surveyed to establish the homogeneity of the site with respect to
soil type, and an area of 300 m × 300 m with least variation is selected. Within that
area, a 1 ha plot is laid out for the soil-monitoring activity. This area is divided into
numbered cells according to a strict protocol. Five-yearly sampling is carried out in
each of 16 numbered 5 m × 5 m cells in each of six blocks. Each 5 m × 5 m cell is
subdivided into 25 numbered subcells of 1 m × 1 m. On each sampling occasion, only
one subcell is randomly selected from each 5 m × 5 m cell, giving a total of
16 sampling sites for each block at each five-yearly sampling. At the next five-yearly
sub-sampling, a different set of 1 m × 1 m sub-cells is used. Two sets of soil samples
will be taken to a maximum depth of 30 cm from each sampled sub-cell. One set is
based on depths 0 cm to 5 cm, 5 cm to 10 cm, 10 cm to 20 cm, and 20 cm to 30 cm.
The other set corresponds to horizons within the top 30 cm. Twenty-year samples are
taken from soil profiles. These require excavation of the ground to expose a vertical
section of soil suitable for description, and will be from six pits, each located in a
5 m × 5 m cell chosen at random from each block. Samples are collected from each
soil horizon recognized in the description to about 1 m depth (or less if rock is
encountered) and by standard depths of 0 cm to 5 cm, 5 cm to 10 cm, 10 cm to
20 cm, 20 cm to 40 cm, 40 cm to 60 cm, 60 cm to 80 cm, 80 cm to 100 cm, and
100 cm to 120 cm. In addition, triplicate core samples are taken from each horizon for
the measurement of soil water release characteristics and bulk density.
Field observations The soils are characterized at each ECN site and for each of the target sampling
areas of 1 ha. A soil survey map is produced. Each soil-profile pit is described
according to UK national schemes.
Laboratory These are as follows:
measurements
Each bulked horizon and depth band sample from the five-yearly core samples and
each horizon and depth band from the 20-yearly profile samples is analysed for
 moisture on soil < 2 mm oven-dried overnight at 105 °C,
 pH on field-moist and air-dry samples, on 1:2,5 extracts in water and 0,01 mol/l
calcium chloride,
 exchangeable acidity, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, aluminium,
 total nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, organic carbon, inorganic carbonate,
 aqua regia-extractable lead, zinc, cadmium, copper, cobalt, molybdenum,
chromium, nickel,
 total mercury and arsenic,
 extractable iron, aluminium, phosphorus,
 dry soil bulk density and water-release characteristics are determined in triplicate
for each soil horizon at 20-year intervals.
Soil archive Air-dried samples (minimum 1 kg) of each and every soil layer sampled are stored in
an archive.
Contact address Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
Lancaster Environment Centre
Library Avenue
Bailrigg
Lancaster LA1 4AP
http://www.ecn.ac.uk/
12 © ISO 2004 – All rights reserved

A.2.3 Integrated National Programme for Forest Ecosystems Control, CONECOFOR (Italy)
Title Integrated National Programme for Forest Ecosystems Control (CONECOFOR)
Level National
Area of activity Air pollution
Context In the framework of the International Cooperative Programme on Assessment and
Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Forests and of the International Cooperative
Programme on Integrated Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Ecosystems.
Monitoring To study atmospheric pollution, soil acidification trends and climate change effects on
objectives Italian forest ecosystems
Number of sites National network consisting of 27 permanent forest sites
Criteria for site The sites should represent Italian main biocenosis.
selection
The sites should meet the national criteria of regional and national representativeness;
ecological and biocenotic homogeneity of the sites and their buffer zones; accessability;
distance from known local air-pollution sources; land ownership; protection regime;
availability of local support personnel.
Sampling plan Starting year: 1995; number of active areas: 20; Soil sampling frequency: 10 years.
Every site consists of two separate but adjacent, 2 500 m area plots (blank and
monitoring), surrounded by a buffer zone, varying from 10 ha to 100 ha. Soil samples are
collected from the monitoring plot.
According to the mandate, two monitoring and sampling levels were decided for the
depth of sampling and parameters to be determined.
Level I includes: Organic layer, mineral layer 0 cm to 10 cm, mineral layer 10 cm to
20 cm;
Level II includes: Organic layer, mineral layer 0 cm to 10 cm, mineral layer 10 cm to
20 cm, mineral layer 20 cm to 40 cm.
Field observations Soil profile descriptions and classification according to the FAO Classification.
Laboratory Parameters to be determined in the organic layer (mandatory): pH (CaCl ); organic C;
measurements total N; CaCO (if pH > 5,5); total P, Ca, K, Mg, Mn by aqua regia; heavy metals Cu, Pb,
Cd, Zn by aqua regia; amount of organic layer;
Parameters to be optionally determined in the organic layer: other metals: Al, Fe, Cr, Ni,
3+
S, Hg, Na by aqua regia; exchangeable acidity; BCE: Ca, Mg, K, Na; ACE: Al, Fe , Mn,
H; CEC, base saturation; pH (H O);
Parameters to be determined in the mineral layer 0 cm to 10 cm (mandatory): pH
(CaCl ); organic C; total N; CaCO (if pH > 6); aqua regia heavy metals Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn;
2 3
3+
exchangeable acidity; BCE: Ca, Mg, K, Na; ACE: Al, Fe , Mn, H; CEC, base saturation
Parameters to be optionally determined in the mineral layer 0 cm to10 cm: aqua regia
total P, Ca, K, Mg, Mn; pH (H O)
Parameters to be determined in the mineral layer 10 cm to 20 cm (mandatory): pH
(CaCl ); organic C; total N; CaCO (if pH > 6); exchangeable acidity; BCE: Ca, Mg, K,
2 3
3+
Na; ACE: Al, Fe , Mn, H; CEC, base saturation
Parameters to be optionally determined in the mineral layer 10 cm to 20 cm: aqua regia
total P, Ca, K, Mg, Mn ; pH (H O)
Parameters to be determined in the mineral layer 20 cm to 40 cm (mandatory): pH
(CaCl );
Parameters to be optionally determined in the mineral layer 20 cm to 40 cm: OC; Total
N; CaCO (if pH > 6); aqua regia heavy metals Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn.
NOTE Several changes are in progress, in accordance with scientific panel discussions.

Soil archive
Contact address Dr. Davide De Laurentis
Mi.P.A.F. (Ministero delle Politiche Agricole e Forestali)
Direzione Generale delle Risorse Forestali, Montane ed Idriche
Corpo Forestale dello Stato
Divisione V
Via Carducci, 5
00187 Rome
Italy
Tel. [phone]
Fax [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail], [e-mail]
http://www.corpoforestale.it/conecofor/index.htm

14 © ISO 2004 – All rights reserved

A.2.4 Basal Soil Monitoring Scheme, BSMS (Czech Republic)
Title Basal Soil Monitoring Scheme (BSMS)
Level National (Czech Republic)
Area of activity Status and changes in soil properties, inputs of substances into the soil
Context The system was established in 1992. It is divided into three subsystems, covering
three distinct classes of land use and soil conditions:
 agricultural soil in standard conditions;
 polluted ag
...

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-december-2006
Kakovost tal – Navodilo za vzpostavitev in vzdrževanje programov monitoringa
Soil quality -- Guidance on the establishment and maintenance of monitoring
programmes
Qualité du sol -- Lignes directrices pour l'établissement et l'entretien de programmes de
surveillance
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: ISO 16133:2004
ICS:
13.080.01 Kakovost tal in pedologija na Soil quality and pedology in
splošno general
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 16133
First edition
2004-03-15
Soil quality — Guidance on the
establishment and maintenance of
monitoring programmes
Qualité du sol — Lignes directrices pour l'établissement et l'entretien
de programmes de surveillance
Reference number
©
ISO 2004
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©  ISO 2004
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ii © ISO 2004 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword. iv
Introduction . v
1 Scope. 1
2 Terms and definitions. 1
3 Monitoring objectives. 3
3.1 General. 3
3.2 Examples of monitoring purposes. 4
4 Monitoring programme. 4
4.1 General considerations. 4
4.2 Elements of a monitoring programme . 5
4.2.1 Status of the monitoring sites . 5
4.2.2 Changes at the monitoring sites . 5
4.2.3 Interpretation of status and changes. 6
4.2.4 Selection of sites. 6
4.3 Sampling and measurement. 7
4.3.1 General. 7
4.3.2 Site design and identification . 7
4.3.3 Soil and site description. 7
4.3.4 Sampling. 7
4.3.5 Field and laboratory measurements . 7
4.3.6 Specimen banking. 7
4.3.7 Time interval between samplings. 8
5 Data quality and quantity . 8
Annex A (informative) Examples of monitoring programmes . 9
Bibliography . 33

iii
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 16133 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 190, Soil quality, Subcommittee SC 7, Soil and site
assessment.
iv
Introduction
Monitoring is the process of repetitive observation, for defined purposes, of one or more components of the
environment according to pre-arranged schedules in space and time using comparable methods for
environmental sensing and data collection (see reference [1] in the Bibliography). Monitoring schemes are
used all over the world for a large number of purposes. Soil monitoring, particularly, is a long-term undertaking.
The quality and the utility of the information from the monitoring is to a large degree determined by the choice
of monitoring sites and by their maintenance over the years, and by appropriate quality control at all stages of
the process.
Monitoring associated with industrial (contaminated) sites can involve many specific considerations, including
legal requirements. The guidance in this International Standard is not designed or intended to cover such
situations.
v
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 16133:2004(E)

Soil quality — Guidance on the establishment and maintenance
of monitoring programmes
1 Scope
This International Standard gives general guidance on the selection of procedures for the establishment and
maintenance of programmes for long-term monitoring of soil quality. It takes into account the large number of
objectives for soil-monitoring programmes.
This International Standard is intended to help provide a basis for dialogue between parties which might be
involved in a monitoring scheme. Examples of soil-monitoring programmes from several countries are
provided in Annex A.
2 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
2.1
accumulation
increase of the concentration of a substance in soil due to substance input being larger than substance output
NOTE Adapted from ISO 11074-1:1996
2.2
anthropogenic influence
changes in soil properties caused by human activities
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
2.3
background concentration
natural pedogeochemical content
geogeneous or pedogeneous average concentration of a substance in an examined soil
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
2.4
diffuse source input
non-point source input
input of a substance emitted from moving sources, from sources with a large area or from many sources
NOTE 1 The sources can be cars, application of substances through agricultural practices, emissions from town or
region, deposition of sediment through flooding of a river.
NOTE 2 Diffuse source input usually leads to sites that are relatively uniformly contaminated. At some sites, the input
conditions may nevertheless cause a higher local input near the source or where atmospheric deposition/rain is increased.
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
2.5
leaching
movement of dissolved substances caused by the movement of water or other liquids in the soil
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
2.6
locally contaminated site
site with discrete areas of high concentrations of substances hazardous to soil
NOTE The extent of contamination is usually small and the gradient of concentration within the site is steep.
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
2.7
monitoring
process of repetitive observation, for defined purposes, of one or more elements of the environment according
to pre-arranged schedules in space and time using comparable methods for environmental sensing and data
collection
2.8
monitoring site
area in which investigations will take place
NOTE Areas which are relatively homogeneous are usually chosen.
2.9
point-source input
input of a substance from a stationary discrete source of definite size
NOTE 1 The sources can be stack emissions, accidental spills, waste dumps, spills on industrial sites, major leaks
from sewers and other pipelines.
NOTE 2 Point-source input can cause both locally contaminated sites and relatively uniformly contaminated sites.
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
2.10
risk assessment
assessment of damaging effects of a polluted site on man and the environment with respect to their nature,
extent and probability of occurrence
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
2.11
sample
portion of material selected from a large quantity of material
[ISO 11074-2:1998]
2.12
sampling
process of drawing or constituting a sample
[ISO 3534-1:1993]
2 © ISO 2004 – All rights reserved

NOTE For the purpose of soil investigation, “sampling” also relates to selection of locations for the purpose of in situ
testing carried out in the field without removal of material.
[ISO 11074-2:1998]
2.13
sampling point
location within the monitoring site at which physical sampling takes place
2.14
sampling procedure
operational requirements and/or instructions relating to the use of a particular sampling plan
[ISO 11074-2:1998]
2.15
soil damage
alteration of soil properties which cause negative effects on one or more soil functions, human health or
environment
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
2.16
substance input
movement of a substance from another environmental compartment into a soil
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
2.17
substance output
movement of a substance from the soil into another environmental compartment
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
2.18
uniformly contaminated site
site with a generally uniform concentration of a substance hazardous to soil
NOTE The extent of the contamination is usually large and the gradient of concentration within the site is rather
shallow.
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
3 Monitoring objectives
3.1 General
Monitoring is an important tool for the early detection of environmental impact on soil and soil processes. It
thus has a major role in the prevention or minimization of environmental damage or the detection of
environmental improvement. By the early detection of environmental impact, or the potential for such impact, a
monitoring programme could help to reduce or remove the costs of reaching or maintaining a given level of
environmental management, protection or quality.
Monitoring programmes can also be used to evaluate the outcome of environmental policies, to assist in the
development of strategies for soil protection and environment management. They can also serve as research
platforms for the development and validation of field and analytical methods and of models of soil and related
environmental processes.
The range of purposes for which soil-monitoring programmes can be designed encompasses such a vast
range of time scales, variables and processes that it is not possible to give specific guidance on the design of
a monitoring programme to meet all the objectives which might be covered by this diversity. The selection of
sites, sampling schemes, etc. should be made from a consideration of the specific objectives of the particular
monitoring programme. This International Standard identifies the principles underlying such programmes.
3.2 Examples of monitoring purposes
The following list gives some examples of monitoring purposes:
 short-, intermediate- and long-term environmental impacts varying in magnitude, importance, duration
and probability;
 changes in chemical, biological and physical soil properties (e.g. pH, adsorption processes, toxic element
accumulation, radiation, compaction, erosion) and the dynamics of changes in such properties;
 effects of human impacts;
 differentiation of human impacts from inter-annual variability and longer-term climate change;
 differentiation of local contamination from long-range transport;
 evaluation of productivity;
 assessment of biological diversity;
 input of elements into the soil environment and output of elements from the soil environment;
 transport processes in the soil profile (gases; particles; elements or compounds in solution);
 calculations of elements uptake and retention by particular components of the ecosystem.
4 Monitoring programme
4.1 General considerations
It is generally not feasible to monitor all variables at all locations. Wherever possible, consideration should be
given to the monitoring of soil properties which, as well as being of specific interest themselves, might also act
as a surrogate for some property or process which is otherwise difficult, time consuming or expensive to
measure directly. For example, soil pH and clay content (a potential surrogate for soil hydrological behaviour)
might act as factors for ranking pollutant mobility. It will be important to establish what long-term records
already exist at a site before identifying additional variables for monitoring and what degree of continuity of
measurement is required into the future. The close reciprocal benefits of monitoring and research on specific
scientific questions should be considered.
The final series of potential monitoring options should be ranked according to their value (scientific relevance;
sensitivity to impacts; value as an index for changes in many other environmental variables that are not
measured) and feasibility (financial, logistic, analytical, ease of interpretation). This prioritization should also
be revised and updated at regular intervals. The costs of appropriate storage of samples and long-term quality
assurance, e.g. cross-checking when improvements in analytical techniques are made, should not be
underestimated.
4 © ISO 2004 – All rights reserved

Identification of habitat types is a key element of the monitoring plan, and is also a logical starting point for the
development of an environmental monitoring strategy. It is also necessary to consider the number of sites that
might be required to give appropriate spatial and temporal cover for the monitoring, and whether the site
density is appropriate for all variables. It is usually impractical to establish sites that cover all combinations of
soil and habitat. Consideration needs to be given, for example, to combinations that are most common or
most sensitive to a given impact. It should be remembered that other research, into e.g. water quality or
biodiversity, might be possible on the same site, thus adding to its value.
Some other factors that have to be considered are the following:
 partners and organizations involved, and an assessment of their objectives and long-term commitment;
 existing guides and protocols, and the degree to which they satisfy the objectives of the programme;
 ownership of sites, and likely long-term commitment of the site or sites to a monitoring programme;
 availability of sites;
 effects of future changes in land use (if this is an important factor), or the landscape in the vicinity of the
site(s) since changes might affect the usefulness of the site in the long term;
 the funding of the programme, and its long-term security;
 quality assurance, including documentation (see below);
 data management, accessibility of the data, intellectual property and issues of confidentiality and rights to
publish.
It is very strongly recommended that all parties to a long-term monitoring programme agree to the objectives,
funding, mutual responsibilities and other relevant issues before a monitoring programme begins, and that
they enter into a formal agreement which defines each party's role in the programme, including financial and
legal constraints.
4.2 Elements of a monitoring programme
4.2.1 Status of the monitoring sites
The history of all sites, which might be considered, should be documented. This is an essential part of any
assessment of representativeness, and ensures that the chances of the unexpected, which might jeopardize
the usefulness of the site, are minimized. Such assessment can involve the characterizing of present-day soil
properties at representative sites. Issues such as ownership, access, etc. (see 4.1) can usually be resolved at
this stage. Information about other monitoring programmes forms part of this preliminary investigation.
4.2.2 Changes at the monitoring sites
The purpose of measuring change in soil properties should be clear from the start. It may also be useful to
invert the question and ask what changes could be measured using such a particular site or programme
design, even if all the properties might not be required at the start. Sites which allow expansion of activity for
future needs can have advantages over more limited sites. It might be that one purpose of the programme is
to establish changes in soil properties (e.g. pH, humus content, levels of toxic substances, water permeability,
microbiological activity) and the dynamics of changes in such properties over shorter rather than longer time
scales. This has large implications for the amount of soil sampling, and thus site disturbance, which the site
might have to accommodate without having its functions seriously affected. The possibility of investigating
other environmental compartments can make one site a more attractive proposition than another, especially if
it interests a larger group of researchers, funders, etc.
4.2.3 Interpretation of status and changes
The data on status and changes may be used to interpret the following:
 reference/background properties;
 degradation/improvement of one or more soil characteristics and functions (and the effect of this on other
soil or site properties);
 short-term and long-term environmental impact and bioavailability of extraneous inputs, applied wastes,
atmospheric or water-borne substances or off-site management;
 ecological functions of soils;
 productivity functions of soils;
 influence on other environmental compartments, or of these on the soils at the site.
4.2.4 Selection of sites
The sites should be selected so that they are suitable for the objectives of the programme with respect to
geology, soil type, vegetation and land use, topography, climate and ecological habitat. Other important
criteria are anthropogenic impact and natural background conditions (e.g. trace element levels, acidity, salinity,
buffer capacity).
The choice of geographical distribution of monitoring sites is often influenced by the degree of pre-existing
knowledge of the landscape or soil pattern. Where relatively little is known, statistical approaches are often the
most appropriate, although this can imply considerable preliminary investigation to establish the variability of
the area in question. In general, there are four main choices in the selection of geographical distribution. They
are listed below without priority.
 Regular grid. The sites are selected using a regular grid. In order to provide representative data, this
approach generally requires a large number of sites. The interval between the grid points is very
dependent on the size of the area of interest, as well as the degree of change being measured in the
property. The smaller the change to be measured in a property, the larger the number of sites required in
a given area.
 Statistical approach. The sites are selected by using (geo)statistically produced patterns, designed to
minimize the required number of sites. However, this implies considerable preliminary investigation, as
geostatistical investigations have, as their central aim, the establishment of a reliable variogram for a
given property. If the different properties have different degrees of spatial dependence, as they often do in
soils, then the number of sites needed to establish this can be as large as that for the regular grid.
 Hypothesis-oriented approach. The monitoring options are evaluated on the basis of their ability to
detect and quantify impacts hypothesized to result from specific human activities. The sensitivity, spatial
extent and frequency of monitoring have to be appropriate to detect the hypothesized impacts. This can
also involve considerable preliminary investigation.
 Typological approach. This is based on a stratification of soils according to land use and/or soil type, or
soil horizon, on soil parent material, or soil extent, or distance from potential contamination sources, etc.
In order to make efficient use of available resources, it is always important to consider the possibilities to
integrate the sites with other monitoring programmes. Examples of selection of monitoring sites are given in
Annex A. Both synergistic and disturbing effects (e.g. caused by sampling activities or experimental
treatments) should be considered if sites are to be used for different monitoring programmes.
6 © ISO 2004 – All rights reserved

4.3 Sampling and measurement
4.3.1 General
A sampling and measurement plan is an important part of a monitoring programme. Such a plan should
include procedures in the following areas.
4.3.2 Site design and identification
The chosen site(s) should allow the range of measurements appropriate for the objectives of the soil-
monitoring programme, and any other monitoring activities which add value to this programme. The layout of
the site should allow repeated representative sampling, without compromising the overall functioning of the
site or the soils within it. The site should be protected from unwanted external disturbances.
The choice of sampling points within the monitoring site depends on several factors. The sampling point might
have to allow for the digging of soil-profile pits, the installation of soil instruments, repeated sampling by
augers, possibly the introduction of designed experiments, e.g. to test the effect of different cropping regimes
on the properties monitored, and so on. These factors shall be estimated at the preliminary stage, and the site
design modified to include them. If none of these larger factors needs to be allowed for, the sampling point
may be located at the centroid of the monitoring site.
4.3.3 Soil and site description
Soil and site description should be performed in accordance with ISO 15903 and ISO 11259.
4.3.4 Sampling
Sampling includes for example the sampling strategy, sampling techniques, labelling, transport and storage.
Whenever possible International Standards should be used, see Bibliography. Careful thought should be
given to sampling schemes so as to cause minimum disturbance to the site and its properties. Some
examples covering the principles of the design and implementation of soil monitoring programmes are given in
Annex A.
4.3.5 Field and laboratory measurements
Field and laboratory measurements should be selected according to the objectives.
It is strongly recommended that the following minimum data set of chemical and physical parameters be
included, as many of these underpin the interpretation of soil data in the wider context: pH, organic carbon
content, cation exchange capacity, electrical conductivity, dry matter content, particle size distribution and bulk
density. There is no recommended minimum data set for biological parameters, as the choice depends on the
objectives. Standardized methods should be used wherever possible.
The relevant International Standards for the recommended minimum data set are given in the Bibliography.
Examples of selection of parameters in relation to the purpose of the monitoring objectives are given in
Annex A.
4.3.6 Specimen banking
A specified portion of each sample should be stored for future needs as appropriate. Sufficient sample should
be taken so as to allow re-analysis of many of the properties for an extended period into the future. A
specimen bank also makes it possible to include new forms of analysis in the monitoring programme at a later
date.
It should be considered at the outset whether special storage conditions, e.g. temperature or humidity, have to
be maintained in order to guarantee that important parameters will remain stable over time. In some cases
samples should be stored frozen, rather than dried. If determinations of some parameters have to be
postponed, for financial or other reasons, and long-time parameter stability cannot be guaranteed, efforts
should be made to determine these parameters at the earliest possible occasion.
Contamination from sample containers should be minimized by careful choice of storage media.
The costs of specimen banking over many years can be considerable. The amount of space required to store
samples in the long term can be considerable if many samples are involved, whether they are from separate
sites, or numerous locations within one site, or both.
4.3.7 Time interval between samplings
The planned time interval depends on the objectives and parameters (e.g. spatial variability, dynamics, and
expected changes). It should be taken into account that time intervals may have to be changed because of
unexpected events, and almost certainly will differ with different variables.
5 Data quality and quantity
The quality of the data obtained can be assured by
 proper training of all staff, not only of those involved at the start of the project, but also of those who
replace them over time. It is strongly recommended to keep a record of the training given,
 setting formal data quality objectives (e.g. for accuracy, reproducibility, etc.),
 using sampling procedures based on guidance in International Standards,
 using standardized analytical and test methods such as those listed in the Bibliography or, where
International Standard methods are not available, those published by national standardization
organizations or official bodies,
[32]
 using laboratories which apply methods accredited under ISO 17025 ,
 using laboratories that take part in relevant proficiency testing schemes,
 using commissioning agents who employ their own quality assurance procedures,
 adherence to agreed protocols,
 the keeping of proper records at all stages of the monitoring programme, ensuring that these records
remain readable and unambiguous, and keeping such records in an accessible place.
As monitoring is a long-term undertaking, it may be impossible to avoid changes in methodology and/or use of
different laboratories. It is very important to keep a record of such changes and to calculate the correlation
between parameter values before and after the changes. For coding of data, a codification key should be
defined. Comparability of these data with international systems of soil information should be considered.
The amount of data generated from monitoring programmes may be considerable. It is strongly recommended
to estimate the quantity of data at the outset, and to make an appropriate plan for data storage. If not well
planned, this can present a formidable logistical problem when sampling programmes run for decades.
Commonly used database systems should be employed. It is good practice to appoint a person or a unit in the
organization to be responsible for the security of the database and for handling back-up procedures.
8 © ISO 2004 – All rights reserved

Annex A
(informative)
Examples of monitoring programmes
A.1 Introduction
This annex contains short presentations, in tabular form, of different regional and national monitoring
programmes. The examples provide the reader with a general understanding of the objectives of the
programmes and how they have been set up to reach the objectives.
A.2 Examples
A.2.1 The agricultural environmental monitoring programme in Norway (JOVA)
Title The agricultural environmental monitoring programme in Norway (JOVA)
Level National
Area of activity Soil erosion, nutrient loss, pesticides and heavy metals.
Context The Norwegian Ministry of Agriculture initiated the programme in cooperation with the
Ministry of Environment in 1992. It is a nationwide programme. Initially it focussed on
monitoring of erosion and nutrient losses from agricultural soils, but in 1995 the
programme was extended to include pesticides and heavy metals.
The programme is based on monitoring of small agricultural catchments, representing
major cropping systems under varying soil and climatic conditions.
Monitoring objectives The primary objectives of the programme are
 to give the public administration in Norway a basis for implementing a cost-
effective environmental policy,
 to document the result of environmental efforts within agriculture as compared to
the Ministerial Convention of the North Sea,
 to inform the agricultural sector about the environmental impact of agricultural
practices and the result of environmental efforts.
Number of sites In the year 2000 the programme covered 13 catchments in different parts of Norway.
The first two were established in 1985, the rest in 1990 or later.
Catchment size varies between 65 and 2 000 ha, with 35 % to 60 % of the main land
use being agriculture. Livestock density varies, and up to 54 % of a catchment area
may be forested.
Criteria for site Sites for monitoring nutrients and erosion are chosen to represent different soils,
selection agricultural practices and climates in Norway. Priority is given to sites with as few
point-sources as possible. Agriculture is aimed to be the dominant source of pollution.
The sites for pesticide analysis are chosen from areas with high frequency of
pesticide use.
Sampling plan Soil and nutrient losses, pesticides and heavy metals are measured at catchment
monitoring stations. Eleven monitoring stations continuously record water discharge,
and volume-proportional water samples are collected automatically. These monitoring
stations are directly linked to the main office, enabling automatic data retrieval. The
two remaining monitoring stations sample point samples only for pesticide analysis.
Field observations Soil types in the catchments are mapped according to a standardized method and
classified according to the Canadian System of Soil Classification (CSSC) and the
World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB).
Continuous discharge measurements are carried out using a V-notch or a Crump weir
in combination with a Campbell data logger. Water samples are taken on a volume-
proportional basis. The average yearly temperature, and for some stations
precipitation, is measured.
Although the catchments are usually less than 700 ha in size, additional
measurements for two catchments are carried out for a field in connection to the main
catchment. This enables researchers to obtain information about retention and
transformation processes in agricultural areas.
Farm practices, such as soil tillage, fertilizer and manure application, crop type and
crop yields, are recorded annually in each catchment. This is of particular importance,
as one of the main goals of the programme is to relate losses of plant nutrients to
catchment characteristics and changes in agricultural practices.
Laboratory Soil samples from 7 to 15 randomly selected fields in 6 of the catchments were
measurements analysed for texture, P-AL, total nitrogen, and ignition loss. For these fields, mineral
nitrogen is analysed twice a year.
Water samples are regularly analysed for content of total nitrogen, nitrate, total
phosphorus, phosphate, suspended solids and pH.
Analyses of pH, suspended solids and total phosphorus are carried out using
Norwegian standard methods, while de facto standards based on international
methods are used for the analysis of phosphate-phosphorus, nitrate-nitrogen and
total nitrogen.
Soil archive Results from the programme are stored in a database at Jordforsk.
Soil and water samples are not stored.
Contact address Jordforsk — the Norwegian Centre for Soil and Environmental Research
Frederik A. Dahls vei 20
N-1432 Aas
Norway
http://www.jordforsk.no/jovabase/frame.htm

10 © ISO 2004 – All rights reserved

A.2.2 Environmental Change Network (United Kingdom)
Title Environmental Change Network
Level UK
Area of activity Soil
Context The UK decided at the beginning of the 1990s that a programme was needed to
assess the long-term change in soil properties at the national scale. This resulted in
the establishment of the Environmental Change Network (ECN)
Monitoring objectives The objectives of the network are
 to establish and maintain a selected set of sites within the UK from which to
obtain comparable long-term data sets by means of measurements at regular
intervals of variables identified as being of major environmental importance,
 to provide for the integration and analysis of these data sets, so as to identify
environmental changes, and to improve understanding of the causes of change,
 to make these long-term data sets available as a basis for research and
prediction,
 to provide, for research purposes, a range of representative sites where there is
good instrumentation and reliable environmental information.
Number of sites 13
Criteria for site The sites were chosen at experimental stations largely under the control of
selection governmental and quasi-governmental organizations, in order to ensure that long-
term continuity of measurement was likely to remain possible. The sites are
representative of a wide range of soil types and habitats, from mountain bog to
lowland agriculture.
Sampling plan The sites are first surveyed to establish the homogeneity of the site with respect to
soil type, and an area of 300 m × 300 m with least variation is selected. Within that
area, a 1 ha plot is laid out for the soil-monitoring activity. This area is divided into
numbered cells according to a strict protocol. Five-yearly sampling is carried out in
each of 16 numbered 5 m × 5 m cells in each of six blocks. Each 5 m × 5 m cell is
subdivided into 25 numbered subcells of 1 m × 1 m. On each sampling occasion, only
one subcell is randomly selected from each 5 m × 5 m cell, giving a total of
16 sampling sites for each block at each five-yearly sampling. At the next five-yearly
sub-sampling, a different set of 1 m × 1 m sub-cells is used. Two sets of soil samples
will be taken to a maximum depth of 30 cm from each sampled sub-cell. One set is
based on depths 0 cm to 5 cm, 5 cm to 10 cm, 10 cm to 20 cm, and 20 cm to 30 cm.
The other set corresponds to horizons within the top 30 cm. Twenty-year samples are
taken from soil profiles. These require excavation of the ground to expose a vertical
section of soil suitable for description, and will be from six pits, each located in a
5 m × 5 m cell chosen at random from each block. Samples are collected from each
soil horizon recognized in the description to about 1 m depth (or less if rock is
encountered) and by standard depths of 0 cm to 5 cm, 5 cm to 10 cm, 10 cm to
20 cm, 20 cm to 40 cm, 40 cm to 60 cm, 60 cm to 80 cm, 80 cm to 100 cm, and
100 cm to 120 cm. In addition, triplicate core samples are taken from each horizon for
the measurement of soil water release characteristics and bulk density.
Field observations The soils are characterized at each ECN site and for each of the target sampling
areas of 1 ha. A soil survey map is produced. Each soil-profile pit is described
according to UK national schemes.
Laboratory These are as follows:
measurements
Each bulked horizon and depth band sample from the five-yearly core samples and
each horizon and depth band from the 20-yearly profile samples is analysed for
 moisture on soil < 2 mm oven-dried overnight at 105 °C,
 pH on field-moist and air-dry samples, on 1:2,5 extracts in water and 0,01 mol/l
calcium chloride,
 exchangeable acidity, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, aluminium,
 total nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, organic carbon, inorganic carbonate,
 aqua regia-extractable lead, zinc, cadmium, copper, cobalt, molybdenum,
chromium, nickel,
 total mercury and arsenic,
 extractable iron, aluminium, phosphorus,
 dry soil bulk density and water-release characteristics are determined in triplicate
for each soil horizon at 20-year intervals.
Soil archive Air-dried samples (minimum 1 kg) of each and every soil layer sampled are stored in
an archive.
Contact address Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
Lancaster Environment Centre
Library Avenue
Bailrigg
Lancaster LA1 4AP
http://www.ecn.ac.uk/
12 © ISO 2004 – All rights reserved

A.2.3 Integrated National Programme for Forest Ecosystems Control, CONECOFOR (Italy)
Title Integrated National Programme for Forest Ecosystems Control (CONECOFOR)
Level National
Area of activity Air pollution
Context In the framework of the International Cooperative Programme on Assessment and
Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Forests and of the International Cooperative
Programme on Integrated Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Ecosystems.
Monitoring To study atmospheric pollution, soil acidification trends and climate change effects on
objectives Italian forest ecosystems
Number of sites National network consisting of 27 permanent forest sites
Criteria for site The sites should represent Italian main biocenosis.
selection
The sites should meet the national criteria of regional and national representativeness;
ecological and biocenotic homogeneity of the sites and their buffer zones; accessability;
distance from known local air-pollution sources; land ownership; protection regime;
availability of local support personnel.
Sampling plan Starting year: 1995; number of active areas: 20; Soil sampling frequency: 10 years.
Every site consists of two separate but adjacent, 2 500 m area plots (blank and
monitoring), surrounded by a buffer zone, varying from 10 ha to 100 ha. Soil samples are
collected from the monitoring plot.
According to the mandate, two monitoring and sampling levels were decided for the
depth of sampling and parameters to be determined.
Level I includes: Organic layer, mineral layer 0 cm to 10 cm, mineral layer 10 cm to
20 cm;
Level II includes: Organic layer, mineral layer 0 cm to 10 cm, mineral layer 10 cm to
20 cm, mineral layer 20 cm to 40 cm.
Field observations Soil profile descriptions and classification according to the FAO Classification.
Laboratory Parameters to be determined in the organic layer (mandatory): pH (CaCl ); organic C;
measurements total N; CaCO (if pH > 5,5); total P, Ca, K, Mg, Mn by aqua regia; heavy metals Cu, Pb,
Cd, Zn by aqua regia; amount of organic layer;
Parameters to be optionally determined in the organic layer: other metals: Al, Fe, Cr, Ni,
3+
S, Hg, Na by aqua regia; exchangeable acidity; BCE: Ca, Mg, K, Na; ACE: Al, Fe , Mn,
H; CEC, base saturation; pH (H O);
Parameters to be determined in the mineral layer 0 cm to 10 cm (mandatory): pH
(CaCl ); organic C; total N; CaCO (if pH > 6); aqua regia heavy metals Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn;
2 3
3+
exchangeable acidity; BCE: Ca, Mg, K, Na; ACE: Al, Fe , Mn, H; CEC, base saturation
Parameters to be optionally determined in the mineral layer 0 cm to10 cm: aqua regia
total P, Ca, K, Mg, Mn; pH (H O)
Parameters to be determined in the mineral layer 10 cm to 20 cm (mandatory): pH
(CaCl ); organic C; total N; CaCO (if pH > 6); exchangeable acidity; BCE: Ca, Mg, K,
2 3
3+
Na; ACE: Al, Fe , Mn, H; CEC, base saturation
Parameters to be optionally determined in the mineral layer 10 cm to 20 cm: aqua regia
total P, Ca, K, Mg, Mn ; pH (H O)
Parameters to be determined in the mineral layer 20 cm to 40 cm (mandatory): pH
(CaCl );
Parameters to be optionally determined in the mineral layer 20 cm to 40 cm: OC; Total
N; CaC
...

NORME ISO
INTERNATIONALE 16133
Première édition
2004-03-15
Qualité du sol — Lignes directrices pour
l'établissement et l'entretien de
programmes de surveillance
Soil quality — Guidance on the establishment and maintenance of
monitoring programmes
Numéro de référence
©
ISO 2004
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©  ISO 2004
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Publié en Suisse
ii © ISO 2004 – Tous droits réservés

Sommaire Page
Avant-propos. iv
Introduction . v
1 Domaine d'application. 1
2 Termes et définitions . 1
3 Objectifs de la surveillance. 3
3.1 Généralités. 3
3.2 Exemples d'objectifs de surveillance . 4
4 Programme de surveillance . 4
4.1 Considérations générales . 4
4.2 Éléments d'un programme de surveillance. 5
4.2.1 État des sites de surveillance. 5
4.2.2 Modifications sur les sites de surveillance. 6
4.2.3 Interprétation de l'état et des modifications . 6
4.2.4 Sélection des sites. 6
4.3 Échantillonnage et mesurage . 7
4.3.1 Généralités. 7
4.3.2 Conception et identification des sites . 7
4.3.3 Description du site et du sol. 7
4.3.4 Échantillonnage . 7
4.3.5 Mesurages in situ et en laboratoire. 8
4.3.6 Banque de sols. 8
4.3.7 Échelonnement des échantillonnages dans le temps . 8
5 Qualité et quantité de données. 8
Annexe A (informative) Exemples de programmes de surveillance . 10
Bibliographie . 35

Avant-propos
L'ISO (Organisation internationale de normalisation) est une fédération mondiale d'organismes nationaux de
normalisation (comités membres de l'ISO). L'élaboration des Normes internationales est en général confiée
aux comités techniques de l'ISO. Chaque comité membre intéressé par une étude a le droit de faire partie du
comité technique créé à cet effet. Les organisations internationales, gouvernementales et non
gouvernementales, en liaison avec l'ISO participent également aux travaux. L'ISO collabore étroitement avec
la Commission électrotechnique internationale (CEI) en ce qui concerne la normalisation électrotechnique.
Les Normes internationales sont rédigées conformément aux règles données dans les Directives ISO/CEI,
Partie 2.
La tâche principale des comités techniques est d'élaborer les Normes internationales. Les projets de Normes
internationales adoptés par les comités techniques sont soumis aux comités membres pour vote. Leur
publication comme Normes internationales requiert l'approbation de 75 % au moins des comités membres
votants.
L'attention est appelée sur le fait que certains des éléments du présent document peuvent faire l'objet de
droits de propriété intellectuelle ou de droits analogues. L'ISO ne saurait être tenue pour responsable de ne
pas avoir identifié de tels droits de propriété et averti de leur existence.
L'ISO 16133 a été élaborée par le comité technique ISO/TC 190, Qualité du sol, sous-comité SC 7, Évaluation
des sols et des sites.
iv © ISO 2004 – Tous droits réservés

Introduction
La surveillance est le processus consistant à observer de façon répétée, pour répondre à des besoins définis,
un ou plusieurs composants environnementaux selon des planifications prédéfinies dans l'espace et dans le
temps, à l'aide de méthodes comparables de détection environnementale et de collecte des données (voir [1]
dans la Bibliographie). Des programmes de surveillance sont utilisés à travers le monde pour un grand
nombre d'applications. La surveillance du sol, notamment, est une action entreprise sur le long terme. La
qualité et l'utilité des informations recueillies par le biais de la surveillance dépendent, dans une large mesure,
du choix des sites de surveillance, de leur entretien au fil des ans et de l'existence d'un contrôle qualité
approprié à toutes les étapes du processus.
La surveillance des sites industriels (contaminés) peut donner lieu à de nombreuses considérations
spécifiques, notamment à des exigences légales. À cet égard, les lignes directrices du présent document ne
sont ni conçues pour de telles situations, ni destinées à y répondre.

NORME INTERNATIONALE ISO 16133:2004(F)

Qualité du sol — Lignes directrices pour l'établissement et
l'entretien de programmes de surveillance
1 Domaine d'application
La présente Norme internationale donne des lignes directrices générales pour la sélection de procédures
visant à établir et entretenir des systèmes de surveillance à long terme de la qualité du sol. Elle tient compte
du grand nombre d'objectifs visés par les programmes de surveillance du sol.
La présente Nome internationale vise à fournir une aide à l'instauration d'une base de dialogue entre les
parties susceptibles d'être impliquées dans un système de surveillance. Des exemples de programmes de
surveillance du sol appliqués dans plusieurs pays sont donnés dans l'Annexe A.
2 Termes et définitions
Pour les besoins du présent document, les termes et définitions suivants s'appliquent.
2.1
accumulation
augmentation de la concentration d'une substance dans le sol due à des apports de substances supérieurs
aux pertes
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
2.2
influence anthropique
modifications des propriétés du sol provoquées par les activités humaines
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
2.3
concentration de fond
teneur pédogéochimique naturelle
concentration moyenne géogénique ou pédogénique d'une substance dans un sol étudié
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
2.4
apport dû à une source diffuse
apport dû à une source non ponctuelle
apport d'une substance émise par des sources mobiles, des sources de grande étendue ou de plusieurs
sources
NOTE 1 Les sources peuvent être des automobiles, des substances introduites par des pratiques agricoles, des
émissions venant d'une ville ou d'une région, un dépôt de sédiments par débordement d'une rivière.
NOTE 2 Les apports dus à une source diffuse conduisent habituellement à des sites à contamination relativement
uniforme. Pour certains sites, les conditions peuvent être des facteurs d'augmentation de l'apport local, à proximité de la
source ou à l'endroit où les dépôts atmosphériques/pluviaux sont intensifiés.
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
2.5
lixivation
mouvement de substances dissoutes causé par la percolation de l'eau ou d'autres liquides dans le sol
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
2.6
site localement contaminé
site présentant ponctuellement ou en plusieurs endroits de hautes concentrations d'une substance
dangereuse pour le sol
NOTE L'étendue de la contamination est généralement faible et le gradient de concentration à l'intérieur du site est
élevé.
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
2.7
surveillance
processus d'observation répétitive, répondant à des besoins définis, portant sur un ou plusieurs éléments
environnementaux suivant une planification prédéfinie dans l'espace et dans le temps et à l'aide de méthodes
comparables de détection environnementale et de collecte des données
2.8
site de surveillance
zone dans laquelle les recherches sont effectuées
NOTE Les zones sélectionnées sont généralement relativement homogènes.
2.9
apport dû à une source ponctuelle
apport d'une substance par une source ponctuelle fixe de taille définie
NOTE 1 Les sources peuvent être un conduit d'émissions, des déversements accidentels, des dépôts d'ordures, des
déversements sur sites industriels, des fuites importantes provenant des égouts et autres canalisations.
NOTE 2 L'apport dû à une source ponctuelle peut aussi bien être la cause de sites localement contaminés que de sites
contaminés de façon relativement uniforme.
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
2.10
évaluation du risque
évaluation des effets préjudiciables d'un site pollué sur l'homme et l'environnement, en considérant leur
nature, leur étendue et leur probabilité
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
2.11
échantillon
quantité de matériau prélevée dans un volume plus important de matériau
[ISO 11074-2:1998]
2 © ISO 2004 – Tous droits réservés

2.12
échantillonnage
processus de prélèvement ou de constitution d'un échantillon
[ISO 3534-1:1993]
NOTE Pour les besoins de l'étude des sols, le terme «échantillonnage» s'applique également au choix des endroits
dans lesquels des essais in situ seront effectués sur le terrain sans enlèvement de matériau.
[ISO 11074-2:1998]
2.13
point d'échantillonnage
endroit d'un site de surveillance où est effectué le prélèvement physique des échantillons
2.14
procédure d'échantillonnage
exigences et/ou instructions opérationnelles concernant la mise en œuvre d'un plan d'échantillonnage
particulier
[ISO 11074-2:1998]
2.15
détérioration du sol
dégradation du sol
altération des propriétés du sol ayant des effets négatifs sur une ou plusieurs fonctions du sol, la santé
humaine ou l'environnement
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
2.16
apport de substance
migration vers un sol d'une substance venant d'un autre compartiment de l'environnement
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
2.17
exportation de substances
migration de substances du sol vers un autre compartiment de l'environnement
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
2.18
site uniformément contaminé
site présentant une concentration uniforme d'une substance dangereuse pour le sol
NOTE L'étendue de la contamination est généralement grande et le gradient de concentration à l'intérieur du site est
plutôt faible.
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
3 Objectifs de la surveillance
3.1 Généralités
La surveillance est un outil fondamental pour permettre la détection précoce de l'impact environnemental sur
les sols et leurs fonctions. Elle tient donc un rôle majeur dans la prévention ou la réduction des dégradations
de l'environnement, ou dans la détection de l'amélioration de ce dernier. En permettant la détection précoce
de l'impact environnemental ou des potentialités liées à un tel impact, un programme de surveillance peut
favoriser la réduction ou la suppression des coûts nécessaires à l'obtention ou au maintien d'un niveau donné
de management, de protection ou de qualité de l'environnement.
Les programmes de surveillance peuvent également servir à évaluer le résultat des politiques
environnementales, afin d'aider à la mise en œuvre de stratégies de protection du sol et de management
environnemental. Ils peuvent également servir de plate-forme de recherche pour la mise au point et la
validation de protocoles d'essai in situ et de méthodes d'analyse, ou de modèles de fonctionnement des sols
et des autres processus environnementaux connexes.
Les programmes de surveillance du sol peuvent s'appliquer à des domaines regroupant une si grande
diversité d'échelles temporelles, de variables et de processus qu'il est impossible de définir des lignes
directrices spécifiques pouvant s'appliquer à la conception d'un programme de surveillance répondant à tous
les objectifs couverts par cette diversité. Il convient de sélectionner les sites, systèmes d'échantillonnage, etc.,
en tenant compte des objectifs spécifiques du programme de surveillance concerné. La présente Norme
internationale identifie les principes qui sous-tendent de tels programmes.
3.2 Exemples d'objectifs de surveillance
La liste suivante énumère quelques exemples d'objectifs de surveillance:
 impact environnemental à court, moyen et long terme, selon les variations de magnitude, d'ampleur, de
durée et de probabilité;
 modification des propriétés chimiques, biologiques et physiques du sol (telles que pH, adsorption,
accumulation de substances nocives, rayonnements, compactage, érosion) ainsi que la dynamique de
variation de ces propriétés;
 effets des impacts d'origine humaine;
 différenciation entre les impacts d'origine humaine et la variabilité interannuelle et le changement
climatique à plus long terme;
 différenciation entre contamination locale et migration sur de longues distances;
 évaluation de la productivité;
 évaluation de la biodiversité;
 apport d'éléments dans l'environnement du sol et exportation d'éléments en provenance de cet
environnement;
 phénomènes de transfert dans le profil du sol (gaz, particules, éléments ou composés en solution);
 calcul du prélèvement ou de la rétention d'éléments par certains composants particuliers de l'écosystème.
4 Programme de surveillance
4.1 Considérations générales
Il est généralement impossible de surveiller la totalité des variables sur l'ensemble des sites. Il convient,
chaque fois que possible, d'envisager la surveillance de propriétés du sol qui, outre leur intérêt spécifique
intrinsèque, sont également substituables aux propriétés ou processus dont le mesurage direct s'avérerait
autrement difficile ou exigeant en termes de temps ou de moyens. Par exemple, le pH et la teneur en argile
d'un sol (substituts possibles du comportement hydrologique d'un sol) peuvent servir de facteurs de
classification pour la mobilité des polluants. Il importe de recenser les enregistrements à long terme déjà
disponibles sur un site avant d'identifier d'autres variables à surveiller, et d'évaluer le degré de continuité des
4 © ISO 2004 – Tous droits réservés

mesurages requis ultérieurement. Il convient de tenir compte des bénéfices réciproques pouvant être retirés
d'activités de surveillance et de recherche portant sur des questions scientifiques spécifiques.
Il convient de classer la liste finale des options de surveillance potentielles en fonction de leur valeur
(pertinence sur le plan scientifique; sensibilité aux impacts; valeur en tant qu'indice de variation de
nombreuses autres variables environnementales non mesurées) et de leur faisabilité (aspects financiers,
logistiques, analytiques, facilité d'interprétation). Il convient également de réviser et d'actualiser régulièrement
la définition de ces priorités. Il convient de ne pas sous-estimer les coûts induits par le stockage approprié des
échantillons et l'assurance qualité à long terme, par exemple lors de la réalisation de vérifications par
recoupement suite à une amélioration des techniques d'analyse.
L'identification des types d'habitat constitue un élément fondamental du plan de surveillance, ainsi qu'un point
de départ logique pour la mise en œuvre d'une stratégie de surveillance environnementale. Il est également
nécessaire de considérer le nombre de sites susceptibles de devoir répondre aux nécessités spatio-
temporelles de la surveillance et d'estimer si la densité du site est adaptée à toutes les variables. Il est
généralement inconcevable d'établir des sites couvrant l'ensemble des combinaisons de sol et d'habitat. Il est
par exemple nécessaire de prendre en compte les combinaisons les plus communes ou les plus sensibles à
un impact donné. Il convient de garder à l'esprit que d'autres recherches, portant par exemple sur la qualité de
l'eau ou la biodiversité, sont susceptibles d'avoir lieu sur le même site, ce qui accroît la valeur de ce dernier.
Les autres facteurs devant être pris en considération sont les suivants:
 les partenaires et organisations impliqués, ainsi qu'une estimation de leurs objectifs et de leurs
engagements à long terme;
 les guides et protocoles existants, ainsi que leur degré de satisfaction aux objectifs du programme;
 la propriété des sites et la probabilité d'implication à long terme du ou des sites dans un programme de
surveillance;
 la disponibilité des sites;
 les effets liés aux futures conditions d'exploitation du sol (si ce facteur s'avère important) ou de
l'environnement proche du ou des sites, car ces changements peuvent affecter l'utilité du site à long
terme;
 le financement du programme et sa pérennité;
 l'assurance qualité, y compris la documentation (voir ci-après);
 la gestion et l'accessibilité des données, la propriété intellectuelle et les clauses relatives à la
confidentialité et aux droits d'édition.
Il est fortement recommandé de veiller à ce que toutes les parties impliquées dans un programme de
surveillance à long terme parviennent à un accord sur les objectifs, le financement, les responsabilités
mutuelles et les autres considérations de même ordre avant le début du programme de surveillance, et
qu'elles définissent un accord formel précisant le rôle de chaque partie dans le cadre du programme, y
compris en termes de contraintes financières et légales.
4.2 Éléments d'un programme de surveillance
4.2.1 État des sites de surveillance
Il convient de documenter l'historique de tous les sites pouvant être pris en considération. Cette partie
essentielle de toute évaluation de représentativité garantit la minimisation des risques aléatoires susceptibles
de dévaloriser l'utilité du site. Une telle évaluation peut consister à caractériser les propriétés du sol à une
date donnée, sur certains sites représentatifs. Les questions relatives à la propriété, l'accès, etc. (voir 4.1)
peuvent généralement être résolues à ce stade. Les informations concernant d'autres programmes de
surveillance entrent dans le cadre de cette investigation préliminaire.
4.2.2 Modifications sur les sites de surveillance
Il convient de fixer clairement dès le début l'objectif du mesurage des modifications des propriétés du sol. Il
peut également être utile de retourner le problème et de se demander quels changements peuvent être
mesurés à l'aide de ce site ou de ce programme particulier, même si toutes les propriétés ne sont pas
nécessairement requises au départ. Les sites permettant l'expansion de l'activité au titre des besoins futurs
peuvent présenter des avantages par rapport à d'autres sites plus limités. Il peut être question que l'un des
objectifs d'un programme consiste à établir les modifications des propriétés du sol (telles que le pH, la teneur
en humus ou en substances nocives, la perméabilité à l'eau, l'activité microbiologique) ainsi que les variations
dynamiques de ces propriétés, observées de préférence sur de courtes périodes plutôt que sur des échelles
temporelles plus longues. Ceci a des implications importantes sur la quantité de sol échantillonné et, par
conséquent, sur la perturbation du site, car ce dernier peut être amené à s'adapter sans subir de modification
profonde de son fonctionnement. La possibilité d'effectuer des recherches sur d'autres compartiments
environnementaux peut favoriser l'attrait d'un site par rapport à un autre, notamment s'il intéresse un plus
grand nombre de chercheurs, d'investisseurs, etc.
4.2.3 Interprétation de l'état et des modifications
Les données relatives à l'état et aux modifications peuvent servir à interpréter les facteurs suivants:
 propriétés de référence/de base;
 dégradation/amélioration d'une ou plusieurs caractéristiques et fonctions du sol (ainsi que leurs effets sur
d'autres propriétés du sol ou du site);
 impact environnemental à court et à long termes et biodisponibilité des apports de substances étrangères,
épandage de déchets, substances d'origine atmosphérique ou aquatique ou issues d'activités de gestion
extérieures au site;
 fonctions écologiques des sols;
 fonctions de productivité des sols;
 influence sur d'autres compartiments environnementaux, ou influence de ces derniers sur le sol du site.
4.2.4 Sélection des sites
Il convient de sélectionner les sites dans la perspective de leur conformité aux objectifs du programme en
termes de géologie, de type de sol, de végétation, d'utilisation du sol, de topographie, de climat et d'habitat
écologique. Les autres critères essentiels concernent l'impact anthropique et les conditions naturelles de fond
(telles que la concentration en éléments traces, l'acidité, la salinité ou le pouvoir tampon).
Le choix de la situation géographique des sites de surveillance est souvent influencé par le degré de
connaissance préalable du paysage ou du type de sol. Lorsque relativement peu d'informations sont connues,
des approches statistiques s'avèrent souvent la solution la mieux adaptée, encore qu'elles impliquent des
recherches préliminaires considérables pour établir la variabilité de la zone considérée. D'une manière
générale, quatre orientations majeures président à la sélection de la répartition géographique. Ces choix sont
énumérés ci-après, sans ordre de priorité.
 Quadrillage régulier. Les sites sont sélectionnés sur la base d'un quadrillage régulier. Pour que cette
approche produise des données représentatives, elle exige généralement un nombre élevé de sites. La
distance entre les points du quadrillage dépend en grande partie des dimensions de la zone considérée,
ainsi que de l'amplitude de variation d'une propriété que l'on tente de mesurer. Plus l'amplitude de
variation d'une propriété à mesurer est faible, plus le nombre de sites requis pour l'étude d'une zone
donnée est élevé.
6 © ISO 2004 – Tous droits réservés

 Approche statistique. Les sites sont sélectionnés à partir de modèles d'origine statistique ou
géostatistique visant à réduire le nombre de sites nécessaires. Toutefois, cette approche implique des
recherches préliminaires considérables, car les recherches géostatistiques visent en premier lieu à établir
un variogramme fiable pour une propriété donnée. Si les différentes propriétés présentent un degré de
dépendance spatiale inégal, comme c'est souvent le cas avec les sols, le nombre de sites requis pour
établir ces données peut être aussi élevé qu'avec un quadrillage régulier.
 Approche hypothétique. Les options de surveillance sont évaluées sur la base de leur aptitude à
détecter et quantifier les impacts résultant, par hypothèse, d'activités humaines spécifiques. La sensibilité,
l'étendue dans l'espace et la fréquence de la surveillance doivent permettre de détecter de façon
appropriée les impacts présumés. Cette approche peut également impliquer des recherches préliminaires
considérables.
 Approche typologique. Cette approche repose sur une stratification des sols en fonction de
l'exploitation du sol et/ou du type de sol, de son horizon, des matériaux initiaux, de l'étendue du sol, de la
distance de ce dernier par rapport à des sources de contamination potentielles, etc.
Pour tirer efficacement parti des ressources disponibles, il importe de toujours envisager les possibilités
d'intégrer les sites à d'autres programmes de surveillance. L'Annexe A donne des exemples de sélection de
sites de surveillance. Il convient de prendre en considération à la fois les effets synergiques et les effets
perturbateurs (par exemple ceux provoqués par les activités d'échantillonnage ou les traitements
expérimentaux) s'il est prévu d'utiliser les sites pour plusieurs programmes de surveillance.
4.3 Échantillonnage et mesurage
4.3.1 Généralités
Un plan d'échantillonnage et de mesurage constitue une partie fondamentale d'un programme de surveillance.
Il convient qu'un tel plan comprenne des procédures applicables aux domaines énumérés ci-après.
4.3.2 Conception et identification des sites
Il convient que le(s) site(s) sélectionné(s) permette(nt) de mener à bien l'ensemble des mesurages requis
conformément aux objectifs du programme de surveillance du sol, ainsi que toute autre activité de
surveillance constituant une valeur ajoutée pour ce programme. Il convient que la configuration du site
permette d'effectuer des échantillonnages répétés sans que cette activité ne nuise au fonctionnement global
du site ou des sols qu'il comprend. Il convient que le site soit protégé des perturbations extérieures
indésirables.
Le choix des points d'échantillonnage au sein du site de surveillance dépend de plusieurs facteurs. Il peut
arriver que le point d'échantillonnage implique la possibilité de forer des puits dans le profil du sol, d'installer
des instruments au sol, de procéder à des échantillonnages répétés à l'aide de tarières, ou d'introduire des
expérimentations prédéfinies visant, par exemple, à évaluer les effets de différentes méthodes de culture sur
les propriétés surveillées, etc. L'estimation de ces facteurs doit intervenir lors de l'étape préliminaire et la
conception du site doit être modifiée en vue de les inclure. Si la prise en compte de ces facteurs
complémentaires n'est pas nécessaire, le point d'échantillonnage peut être placé au centre géographique du
site de surveillance.
4.3.3 Description du site et du sol
Il convient d'effectuer la description du sol et du site conformément à l'ISO 15903 et à l'ISO 11259.
4.3.4 Échantillonnage
L'échantillonnage inclut, par exemple, la stratégie et les techniques d'échantillonnage, l'étiquetage, le
transport et le stockage. Il convient, autant que possible, de se référer aux Normes internationales (voir la
Bibliographie). Il convient d'être attentif à ce que les systèmes d'échantillonnage entraînent le moins de
perturbations possible du site et de ses propriétés. L'Annexe A contient des exemples de principes de
conception et de mise en œuvre des programmes de surveillance du sol.
4.3.5 Mesurages in situ et en laboratoire
Il convient de sélectionner les mesurages in situ et en laboratoire conformément aux objectifs.
Il est fortement recommandé de prendre en compte la liste minimale des paramètres physico-chimiques
mentionnés ci-après, car un grand nombre d'entre eux permettent d'étayer l'interprétation des données du sol
dans un contexte plus large: pH, teneur en carbone organique, capacité d'échange cationique, conductivité
électrique, teneur en matières sèches, distribution granulométrique et masse volumique apparente. Les
paramètres biologiques, dont la sélection dépend des objectifs, n'appellent aucune recommandation de
données minimales particulières. Il convient, autant que possible, d'employer des méthodes normalisées.
Les Normes internationales pertinentes pour l'ensemble des données minimales recommandées sont
mentionnées dans la Bibliographie.
Des exemples de sélection des paramètres afférents aux objectifs de surveillance sont mentionnés dans
l'Annexe A.
4.3.6 Banque de sols
Il convient de stocker une partie spécifiée de chaque échantillon en vue d'un usage ultérieur, le cas échéant. Il
convient de prélever une quantité suffisante d'échantillon pour permettre l'analyse ultérieure d'un grand
nombre de propriétés sur une longue période. L'usage d'une banque de sols permet, en outre, d'incorporer
par la suite de nouveaux types d'analyses au programme de surveillance.
Il convient, dès le départ, de déterminer si certaines conditions de stockage particulières, telles que la
température ou le degré d'humidité, doivent être maintenues pour garantir la stabilité dans le temps des
paramètres cruciaux. Dans certains cas, il convient de conserver les échantillons sous forme congelée plutôt
que déshydratée. Si la détermination de certains paramètres doit être remise à plus tard pour des raisons
financières ou autres et que la stabilité à long terme des paramètres n'est pas garantie, il convient de
s'efforcer de déterminer ces paramètres au stade le plus précoce possible.
Il convient de réduire autant que possible la contamination due aux conteneurs d'échantillons, en
sélectionnant scrupuleusement les supports de stockage.
Les coûts liés à la gestion d'une banque de sols pendant plusieurs années peuvent être très importants.
L'espace nécessaire au stockage à long terme des échantillons peut être considérable, que ces derniers
proviennent de plusieurs sites ou de plusieurs emplacements d'un même site, ou des deux.
4.3.7 Échelonnement des échantillonnages dans le temps
L'intervalle prévu entre deux échantillonnages dépend des objectifs et des paramètres (par exemple la
variabilité spatiale, la dynamique et les modifications imprévues). Il convient de tenir compte du fait que cet
intervalle peut être modifié en raison d'événements inattendus et qu'il diffère avec une quasi-certitude d'une
variable à l'autre.
5 Qualité et quantité de données
La qualité des données obtenues peut être assurée par les mesures suivantes:
 la formation appropriée de l'ensemble du personnel, c'est-à-dire non seulement des personnes
impliquées au début du projet, mais également de celles qui les remplacent par la suite; il est fortement
recommandé de conserver une trace des enseignements délivrés;
8 © ISO 2004 – Tous droits réservés

 la définition d'objectifs qualitatifs formels des données (par exemple en termes de précision, de
reproductibilité, etc.);
 le recours à des procédures d'échantillonnage reposant sur des lignes directrices définies dans les
Normes internationales;
 l'utilisation de méthodes d'analyse et d'essai normalisées, telles que celles mentionnées dans la
Bibliographie ou, en l'absence de méthodes issues des Normes internationales, le recours à des
méthodes publiées par les organismes de normalisation ou organes officiels nationaux;
[32]
 le recours à des laboratoires faisant appel à des méthodes accréditées suivant l'ISO/CEI 17025 ;
 le recours à des laboratoires engagés dans des systèmes d'essais d'aptitude appropriés;
 le recours à des agents exécutants appliquant leurs propres procédures d'assurance qualité;
 le respect des protocoles certifiés;
 la tenue d'enregistrements appropriés à toutes les étapes du programme de surveillance, en veillant à ce
que ces enregistrements restent lisibles et dépourvus d'ambiguïté et qu'ils soient conservés dans un lieu
accessible.
La surveillance étant une activité à long terme, il peut s'avérer impossible d'éviter des modifications de
méthodologie et/ou le recours à des laboratoires différents. Il est primordial de conserver une trace de telles
modifications et de calculer la corrélation entre les valeurs paramétriques obtenues avant et après ces
changements. Pour le codage des données, il convient de définir un système de codification. À cet égard, il
convient de prévoir la comparabilité des données avec des systèmes internationaux de données sur les sols.
La quantité de données générées par les programmes de surveillance peut être considérable. Il est fortement
recommandé de procéder dès le début à une évaluation quantitative des données et de mettre en place une
procédure de stockage appropriée de ces dernières. En l'absence de planification satisfaisante, d'énormes
problèmes logistiques peuvent survenir si les programmes d'échantillonnage s'étendent sur plusieurs dizaines
d'années.
Il convient d'utiliser des systèmes de gestion de base de données «grand public». Une bonne pratique
consiste à nommer une personne ou une unité de service de l'organisation comme responsable de la sécurité
de la base de données et de la gestion des procédures de sauvegarde.
Annexe A
(informative)
Exemples de programmes de surveillance
A.1 Introduction
La présente annexe contient une brève présentation, sous forme de tableau, de différents programmes de
surveillance régionaux et nationaux. Ces exemples donnent au lecteur un aperçu global des objectifs des
programmes et de la manière dont ils ont été définis pour répondre aux objectifs.
A.2 Exemples
A.2.1 Programme de surveillance de l'environnement agricole en Norvège (JOVA)
Intitulé Programme de surveillance de l'environnement agricole en Norvège (JOVA)
Niveau National
Domaine d'activité Érosion du sol; perte en nutriments; pesticides et métaux lourds.
Contexte Le Ministère de l'agriculture norvégien a lancé ce programme en 1992, en collaboration
avec le Ministère de l'environnement. Il s'agit d'un programme à dimension nationale. À
l'origine, il était essentiellement orienté vers la surveillance de l'érosion et des pertes en
nutriments sur les sols agricoles, mais il a été élargi en 1995 pour prendre également
en compte les pesticides et les métaux lourds.
Le programme repose sur la surveillance de petites zones agricoles de captage
représentant les principaux systèmes de récolte, dans différentes conditions de sol et
de climat.
Objectifs de Les principaux objectifs du programme sont les suivants:
surveillance
 fournir à l'administration publique norvégienne une base pour la mise en œuvre
d'une politique environnementale rentable;
 documenter les résultats des efforts consentis dans le secteur agricole en termes
de respect de l'environnement au regard de la Convention ministérielle de la Mer
du Nord;
 informer le secteur agricole de l'impact environnemental lié aux pratiques agricoles
et du résultat des efforts en faveur de l'environnement.
Nombre de sites Au cours de l'année 2000, le programme a couvert 13 zones de captage réparties dans
différentes régions de la Norvège. Les deux premières ont été établies en 1985 et les
autres à partir de 1990.
La taille des zones de captage varie de 65 ha à 2 000 ha, dont 35 % à 60 % sont
consacrés à l'exploitation agricole du sol. La densité du cheptel est variable et la zone
de captage peut être forestière jusqu'à 54 %.
Critères de Les sites consacrés à la surveillance des nutriments et de l'érosion sont sélectionnés
sélection des sites en vue de représenter la diversité des sols, des pratiques agricoles et des climats de la
Norvège. La priorité est donnée aux sites présentant le moins de sources ponctuelles
possible. L'agriculture est considérée comme la source prédominante de pollution. Les
sites réservés à l'analyse des pesticides sont choisis parmi ceux qui présentent l'usage
de pesticides le plus fréquent.
10 © ISO 2004 – Tous droits réservés

Plan Les pertes des sols et les pertes en nutriments, les pesticides et les métaux lourds sont
d'échantillonnage mesurés par des stations de surveillance. Onze stations de surveillance enregistrent en
permanence les déversements d'eau, et des échantillons d'eau de volume
proportionnel sont recueillis automatiquement. Ces stations sont directement reliées à
un poste centralisé afin de permettre l'extraction automatique des données. Les deux
stations de surveillance restantes prélèvent uniquement des échantillons ponctuels
réservés aux analyses de pesticides.
Observations Les types de sol contenus dans les zones de captage sont mis en correspondance
in situ suivant une méthode normalisée et sont répertoriés conformément au système
canadien de classification des sols (CSSC) et à la base de référence mondiale pour les
ressources en sols (WRB).
Le mesurage des déversements continus est effectué au moyen de déversoirs
triangulaires ou de type Crump associés à des enregistreurs de données Campbell.
Des échantillons d'eau sont prélevés sur la base d'un volume proportionnel. La
température moyenne annuelle et, dans certaines stations, les précipitations sont
mesurées.
Bien que la superficie des zones de captage soit généralement inférieure à 700 ha,
deux d'entre elles font l'objet de mesurages complémentaires sur un champ lié à la
zone de captage principale. Les chercheurs peuvent ainsi recueillir des informations sur
les processus de rétention et de transformation des zones agricoles.
Certaines pratiques agricoles, telles que le labour, l'usage d'engrais ou de fumier, ou le
type et le rendement des cultures, sont enregistrées annuellement au niveau de chaque
zone de captage. Cette mesure est particulièrement importante, car l'un des principaux
objectifs du programme est de corréler les pertes en nutriments avec les
caractéristiques de la zone de captage et les modifications des pratiques agricoles.
Mesurages en Des échantillons de sol prélevés aléatoirement dans 7 à 15 champs répartis dans six
laboratoire zones de captage ont été soumis à des analyses de texture, P-AL, azote total et perte
au feu. L'azote minéral de ces champs est analysé deux fois par an.
Les échantillons d'eau sont régulièrement soumis à des analyses de teneur en azote
total, nitrates, phosphore total, phosphates, matières en suspension et pH.
Les analyses de pH, matières en suspension et P total sont effectuées selon des
méthodes normalisées norvégiennes, tandis que des normes de facto reposant sur des
méthodes internationales sont appliquées aux analyses de PO -P, NO -N et
4 3
azote total.
Archives sur les Les résultats du programme sont consignés dans une base de données située à
sols Jordforsk.
Les échantillons de sol et d'eau ne sont pas conservés.
Adresse de contact Jordforsk — Norwegian Centre for Soil and Environmental Research,
Frederik A. Dahls vei 20
N-1432 Aas
Norvège
http://www.jordforsk.no/jovabase/frame.htm
A.2.2 Réseau sur le changement environnemental, ECN (Royaume-Uni)
Intitulé Environmental Change Network (ECN)
Niveau Royaume-Uni
Domaine d'activité Sol
Contexte Au début des années 1990, le Royaume-Uni a estimé nécessaire de mettre en place un
programme d'évaluation à long terme des modifications des propriétés du sol à l'échelle
nationale. De cette initiative est né le réseau ECN.
Objectifs de Les objectifs du réseau sont les suivants:
surveillance
 établir et entretenir un ensemble de sites sur le territoire du Royaume-Uni,
permettant d'obtenir des ensembles de données comparables à long terme, par le
mesurage régulier de variables identifiées comme revêtant une importance
majeure pour l'environnement;
 permettre l'intégration et l'analyse de ces ensembles de données, en vue
d'identifier les variations environnementales et d'améliorer la compréhension de
leurs causes;
 rendre ces ensembles de données à long terme disponibles pour servir de base à
la recherche et aux prédictions;
 fournir, pour les besoins de la recherche, une diversité de sites représentatifs
disposant d'une instrumentation de bonne qualité et d'informations
environnementales fiables.
Nombre de sites 13
Critères de Les sites sélectionnés sont des stations d'expérimentation largement placées sous le
sélection des sites contrôle d'organisations gouvernementales et quasi gouvernementales, afin d'assurer
la possibilité de maintenir la continuité à long terme des mesurages. Les sites sont
représentatifs d'une grande diversité de types de sol et d'habitat, qui vont de la
tourbière de montagne à l'agriculture de plaine.
Plan Les sites sont d'abord étudiés afin d'établir leur homogénéité par rapport au type du sol,
d'échantillonnage
puis une aire de 300 m × 300 m présentant de moindres variations est délimitée. Sur
cette surface, 1 ha est consacré à l'activité de surveillance du sol. Cette surface est
divisée en cellules numérotées selon un protocole strict. Des échantillons sont prélevés
tous les cinq ans dans chacune des 16 cellules numérotées de 5 m × 5 m
sélectionnées dans six blocs. Chaque cellule de 5 m × 5 m est subdivisée en 25 sous-
cellules numérotées de 1 m × 1 m. Lors de chaque échantillonnage, une seule sous-
cellule est sélectionnée au hasard dans chacune des cellules de 5 m × 5 m, ce qui
donne au total 16 sites d'échantillonnage pour chaque bloc lors de chaque
échantillonnage quinquennal. Au cours du sous-échantillonnage suivant, une autre
série de sous-cellules de 1 m × 1 m est utilisée. Deux séries d'échantillons sont
prélevées à une profondeur maximale de 30 cm dans chaque sous-cellule
échantillonnée. La première série correspond à des profondeurs de 0 cm à 5 cm, de
5 cm à 10 cm, de 10 cm à 20 cm et de 20 cm à 30 cm. L'autre série correspond à des
horizons compris entre l
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