oSIST prEN ISO 17616:2022

Soil quality - Guidance on the choice and evaluation of bioassays for ecotoxicological characterization of soils and soil materials (ISO 17616:2019)

This document is one of the family of standards (ISO 15799, ISO 19204) providing guidance on the characterization of soils and soil materials in relation to their retention and habitat functions and uses. It is appropriate to use it in conjunction with the two other standards in this family. It provides guidance on the choice and evaluation of tests applied for ecotoxicological characterization of soils and soil materials. Recommendations for test strategies with respect to the protection of ground and surface waters and the maintenance of the habitat function of soil are included. The tests recommended represent a minimum test battery that can be complemented by additional tests, or even be replaced by others, according to the intended uses or protection goals envisaged. The effect values indicated in this document do not refer to regulation but represent the lowest level at which an adverse effect is considered likely to occur.

Bodenbeschaffenheit - Anleitung für die Auswahl und Beurteilung von Biotestverfahren zur ökotoxikologischen Charakterisierung von Böden und Bodenmaterialien (ISO 17616:2019)

Dieses Dokument ist eine aus einer Normenfamilie (ISO 15799, ISO 19204) zur Verfügung stehende Anleitung zur Charakterisierung von Böden und Bodenmaterialien in Bezug auf ihre Rückhalte- und Lebensraumfunktion und Verwertung. Es ist für die Anwendung in Verbindung mit den anderen beiden Normen dieser Familie geeignet. Es gibt eine Anleitung für die Auswahl und Beurteilung von Prüfungen zur ökotoxikologischen Charakterisierung von Böden und Bodenmaterialien. Eingeschlossen sind Empfehlungen für Prüfstrategien hinsichtlich des Schutzes von Grundwasser und Oberflächenwasser und der Erhaltung der Lebensraumfunktion von Böden. Die empfohlenen Prüfungen stellen eine Mindesttestbatterie dar, die abhängig von der vorgesehenen Nutzung oder den angestrebten Schutzzielen durch zusätzliche Prüfverfahren ergänzt werden kann. Die in diesem Dokument angezeigten Wirkungsschwellen beziehen sich nicht auf gesetzliche Vorgaben, sondern stellen den niedrigsten Gehalt dar, bei dem wahrscheinlich ein schädlicher Effekt eintritt.

Qualité du sol - Lignes directrices relatives aux choix et à l'évaluation des essais appliqués pour la caractérisation écotoxicologique des sols et des matériaux de type sol (ISO 17616:2019)

Le présent document fait partie de la famille de normes (ISO 15799, ISO 19204) fournissant des recommandations relatives à la caractérisation des sols et des matériaux de type sol par rapport à leurs fonctions d'habitat et de rétention ainsi qu'à leurs utilisations. Il est approprié de l'utiliser conjointement avec les deux autres normes de cette famille. Il fournit des recommandations relatives au choix et à l'évaluation des essais appliqués pour la caractérisation écotoxicologique des sols et des matériaux de type sol. Des recommandations relatives à des stratégies d'essai pour la protection des eaux superficielles et souterraines et le maintien de la fonction d'habitat du sol sont incluses. Les essais recommandés représentent une batterie minimale d'essais pouvant être complétée par des essais supplémentaires ou même être remplacée par d'autres essais en fonction des utilisations prévues ou des objectifs de protection envisagés. Les valeurs d'effet indiquées dans le présent document ne se réfèrent pas à la réglementation, mais représentent le niveau le plus faible auquel une réponse est supposée entraîner un effet préjudiciable.

Kakovost tal - Navodilo za izbiro in vrednotenje bioloških preskusov za ekotoksikološko karakterizacijo tal in talnih materialov (ISO 17616:2019)

General Information

• Status: Not Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 02-Aug-2022
• ICS: 13.080.05 - Examination of soils in general
• Technical Committee: KAT - Soil quality
• Current Stage: 4020 - Public enquire (PE) (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 12-May-2022
• Due Date: 29-Sep-2022
• Completion Date: 11-Aug-2022
• Ref Project: EN ISO 17616:2022 - Soil quality - Guidance on the choice and evaluation of bioassays for ecotoxicological characterization of soils and soil materials (ISO 17616:2019)

Standards Content (sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN ISO 17616:2022
01-julij-2022
Kakovost tal - Navodilo za izbiro in vrednotenje bioloških preskusov za
ekotoksikološko karakterizacijo tal in talnih materialov (ISO 17616:2019)

Soil quality - Guidance on the choice and evaluation of bioassays for ecotoxicological

characterization of soils and soil materials (ISO 17616:2019)

Qualité du sol - Lignes directrices relatives aux choix et à l'évaluation des essais

appliqués pour la caractérisation écotoxicologique des sols et des matériaux de type sol

(ISO 17616:2019)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN ISO 17616
ICS:
13.080.05 Preiskava tal na splošno Examination of soils in
general
oSIST prEN ISO 17616:2022 en,fr,de

2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

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oSIST prEN ISO 17616:2022
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oSIST prEN ISO 17616:2022
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 17616
Second edition
2019-10
Soil quality — Guidance on the choice
and evaluation of bioassays for
ecotoxicological characterization of
soils and soil materials
Qualité du sol — Lignes directrices relatives aux choix et
à l'évaluation des essais appliqués pour la caractérisation
écotoxicologique des sols et des matériaux de type sol
Reference number
ISO 17616:2019(E)
ISO 2019
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oSIST prEN ISO 17616:2022
ISO 17616:2019(E)
COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT
© ISO 2019

All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may

be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting

on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address

below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved
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oSIST prEN ISO 17616:2022
ISO 17616:2019(E)
Contents Page

Foreword ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................iv

Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................v

1 Scope ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 1

2 Normative references ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 1

3 Terms and definitions ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 1

3.1 Assessment ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 1

3.2 Types of soil and other soil materials ................................................................................................................................. 2

3.3 Terms relating to Soil characteristics .................................................................................................................................. 2

3.4 Land and sites .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 3

4 Principles and applications of test batteries .......................................................................................................................... 3

5 Testing strategy and interpretation of test results according to the use and re-use of

soils / soil materials and soil functions ........................................................................................................................................ 4

5.1 Monitoring of soil treatment success .................................................................................................................................. 4

5.2 Assessment of the ecotoxic potential of soils / soil materials ....................................................................... 4

5.2.1 General...................................................................................................................................................................................... 4

5.2.2 Choice of test battery and evaluation of test results for assessing retention

function .................................................................................................................................................................................... 5

5.2.3 Choice of test battery and evaluation of test results for assessing habitat

function .................................................................................................................................................................................... 8

Annex A (informative) Tests with soil eluate — Expression of results ..........................................................................10

Bibliography .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................11

© ISO 2019 – All rights reserved iii
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oSIST prEN ISO 17616:2022
ISO 17616:2019(E)
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.

The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are

described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the

different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the

editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/ directives).

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. Details of

any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or

on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www .iso .org/ patents).

Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not

constitute an endorsement.

For an explanation on the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and

expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the

World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see the following

URL: www .iso .org/ iso/ foreword .html.

This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 190, Soil quality, Subcommittee SC 4,

Biological characterization.

This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 17616:2008), which has been technically

revised. The main changes compared to the previous edition are as follows:
[10]

— definitions for “soil use” and “ecosystem service” have been added to Clause 3;

— end points of ecotoxicity tests (e.g. mortality, reproduction, growth, genotoxicity, and other

functional activities), as well as the overall principles and application of test batteries have been

clarified in Clause 4;
— sub-chronic toxicity tests have been added;
— Figure 1 was revised;

— Tables 1 and 2 (test batteries for retention and habitat function assessment, respectively) have been

revised (test categories, test organisms added/deleted, references updated).

Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A

complete listing of these bodies can be found at www .iso .org/ members .html.
iv © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved
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oSIST prEN ISO 17616:2022
ISO 17616:2019(E)
Introduction

The characterization of contaminated soils can be based on strategies considering chemical analyses

and/or bioassays. ISO 15799 provides guidance on the selection of experimental methods for the

assessment of the ecotoxic potential of soils and soil materials (e.g. excavated and remediated soils,

refills, embankments) with respect to their intended use or re-use, and possible adverse effects on

aquatic and soil dwelling organisms.

An assessment strategy giving instructions for the choice and evaluation of test results is hence

proposed. The evaluation of the bioassays outcome is based on empirically-derived critical dilution

levels that take into account the sensitivity of the test system and the intended use/re-use of the site

under investigation. This approach intends to contribute to an effective and comparable assessment

[1]

within the ecotoxicological characterization of contaminated soil or soil materials . The test systems

included in this approach are not mandatory and may be replaced or accomplished by other test methods.

Nevertheless, the selected test systems have proved to appropriately characterize contaminated soils

[2],[3]

and soil materials with respect to their ecotoxic properties , both towards aquatic and terrestrial

organisms, the latter being responsible for maintaining essential soil functions.

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oSIST prEN ISO 17616:2022
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oSIST prEN ISO 17616:2022
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 17616:2019(E)
Soil quality — Guidance on the choice and evaluation of
bioassays for ecotoxicological characterization of soils and
soil materials
1 Scope

This document is one of the family of standards (ISO 15799, ISO 19204) providing guidance on the

characterization of soils and soil materials in relation to their retention and habitat functions and

uses. It is appropriate to use it in conjunction with the two other standards in this family. It provides

guidance on the choice and evaluation of tests applied for ecotoxicological characterization of soils

and soil materials. Recommendations for test strategies with respect to the protection of ground and

surface waters and the maintenance of the habitat function of soil are included. The tests recommended

represent a minimum test battery that can be complemented by additional tests, or even be replaced

by others, according to the intended uses or protection goals envisaged. The effect values indicated

in this document do not refer to regulation but represent the lowest level at which an adverse effect is

considered likely to occur.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.

ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:

— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1 Assessment
3.1.1
soil-related assessment

assessment of the ecotoxic potential of soils (3.2.1), soil substrates and soil materials (3.2.2) based on

chemical analyses, biological tests and field inventories (monitoring) such as that mentioned in the

[4]
TRIAD approach

Note 1 to entry: TRIAD means an assessment approach based on a combination of chemical (i.e. residue analysis),

ecotoxicological (i.e. laboratory ecotoxic tests) and ecological (i.e. monitoring) data.

3.1.2
risk

expression of the probability that an adverse effect on soil (3.2.1) functions will occur under defined

conditions and the magnitude of the consequences of the effect occurring
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oSIST prEN ISO 17616:2022
ISO 17616:2019(E)
3.1.3
LID-value
lowest-ineffective-dilution value

lowest value of the dilution factor above which the test gives an ecotoxicological relevant reduction

(e.g. 20 % inhibition of luminescence)

EXAMPLE A LID 8 corresponds to a dilution of soil extract of 1 : 8 (i.e 1 part of soil extract: 7 parts of

dilution water).

Note 1 to entry: The exact definitions are given in the standard of the respective bioassay. According to

[5] [6]

ISO 13829 for the umu-test, it is the “DLi value” (explanation in Annex D). According to ISO 16240 3.4, it is the

“decisive D value”.
min

Note 2 to entry: For further information on results expression and interpretation based on LID values see

Annex A of this document.
3.2 Types of soil and other soil materials
3.2.1
soil

upper layer of the Earth’s crust composed of mineral particles, organic matter, water, air and organisms

[SOURCE: ISO 15799:2019, 3.1.1]
3.2.2
soil material

material coming from soil (3.2.1) and displaced and/or modified by human activity, including excavated

soil, dredged materials, manufactured soils, remediated treated soils or fill materials

[SOURCE: ISO 17402:2008, 3.16]
3.3 Terms relating to Soil characteristics
3.3.1
habitat function

ability of soils (3.2.1)/ soil materials (3.2.2) to serve as a habitat for microorganisms, plants, soil-living

animals and their interactions (i.e. biocenose)
[SOURCE: ISO 15799:2019, 3.2.1]
3.3.2
retention function

ability of soils (3.2.1)/ soil materials (3.2.2) to adsorb pollutants in such a way that they cannot be

mobilised via the water pathway and translocated into the food chain

Note 1 to entry: The habitat and retention functions include the following soil functions according to

[7]
ISO 11074:2015 , 3.3.31:
— control of substance and energy cycles as components of ecosystems;
— basis for the life of plants, animals and man;
— carrier of genetic reservoir;
— basis for the production of agricultural products;

— buffer inhibiting movement of water, contaminants or other agents into the ground water.

[SOURCE: ISO 15799:2019, 3.2.2]
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oSIST prEN ISO 17616:2022
ISO 17616:2019(E)
3.3.3
contaminant
substance or agent present in the soil (3.2.1) as a result of human activity

Note 1 to entry: There is no assumption in this definition that harm results from the presence of the contaminant.

Note 2 to entry: See also pollutant (3.2.3) and potentially harmful substance (3.2.5) definitions in ISO 15799:2019

[9]
[SOURCE: ISO 15176:2002 , 3.2.6, modified — Note 2 to entry added.]
3.3.4
pollutant

substances, which due to their properties, amount or concentration cause negative impacts on the soil

(3.2.1) function or soil use
[9]
Note 1 to entry: Adapted from ISO 15176:2002 3.2.7.
3.4 Land and sites
3.4.1
re-use
useful and harmless utilisation of soil materials (3.2.2)

Note 1 to entry: In the context of this document re-use means the transfer of soil materials to another location for

use in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, gardens, recreational areas and construction sites.

[9]
[SOURCE: ISO 15176:2002 , 3.4.1; ISO 15799:2019, 3.3.1]
3.4.2
soil use
use of the ecosystem services (3.4.3) that soil (3.2.1) provides
3.4.3
ecosystem service

service that is (directly or indirectly) provided by an ecosystem to benefit people

[SOURCE: Based on Millennium Ecosystem Assessment]
4 Principles and applications of test batteries

The sensitivity of organisms (e.g. bacteria, plants, animals) to toxicants may vary significantly from one

species to another. Thereby, it is admitted that only the results of several ecotoxicity tests can give a

clear indication of the toxic effects of soil or soil materials. As such, the combination of ecotoxicity tests,

defined as a battery, shall include organisms belonging to various trophic levels, several biological

responses or end points (e.g. mortality, reproduction, growth, genotoxicity, as well as other functional

activities), in order to take into account the variability of species sensitivity within the studied

compartment.

The ecotoxicity tests included in batteries should at least have the following characteristics:

— sensitivity;
— practicability;
— compliance with standardized methods;
— high cost efficiency;

— representativeness of the soil ecosystem and/or of the selected application scenario (i.e. habitat or

retention functions).
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oSIST prEN ISO 17616:2022
ISO 17616:2019(E)

Depending on the use of the soil or soil material (e.g. the agricultural use of waste) or the protection

goal (i.e. habitat or retention functions), the applied test battery can differ (see Clause 5 in ISO 15799

[1]

for guidance on test selection criteria) . Nevertheless, the selected tests should allow the identification

of the most sensitive trophic level(s) and give information on the toxic effects induced by solid samples.

The evaluation of results from the ecotoxicological tests should take into consideration the application

purposes (further details on the field of application in ISO 15799, Clause 4), which can broadly be for:

— monitoring and control of the success of soil treatment (off-site, on-site, in situ) (see 5.1),

— assessment of soil / soil material quality or contamination effects according to its use or re-use

(see 5.2).

Irrespective of the application purpose, the ecotoxicological characterization of soils and soil materials

[1]

depends on the soil use/re-use and soil functions requiring protection , as aforementioned. Overall, it

can essentially rely on the:

— assessment of mobile and bioavailable potentially harmful substances, in cases where the soil/

soil material (see 3.2.1 and 3.2.2) can affect the ground and/or surface water, as well as in cases

where pollutants are added to soils (e.g. agricultural use of wastes like sludge, composts, etc.) (i.e.

retention function), and/or

— assessment of the ecotoxic potential of soils and soil materials (see 3.2.1 and 3.2.2) and possible

adverse effects on soil-dwelling organisms (i.e. habitat function).

5 Testing strategy and interpretation of test results according to the use and re-

use of soils / soil materials and soil functions
5.1 Monitoring of soil treatment success

For evaluating the efficiency of soil treatments, the procedure below may be followed at different stages:

a) before the treatment – perform the ecotoxicological assessment of the soil sample(s) using a test

battery (5.2);

b) monitoring during the soil treatment process – perform a simple test selected from the battery

above [e.g. the most sensitive and practical test used among the battery applied in 5.1 a)];

c) at the end of the treatment – perform a new assessment with the same test battery used in 5.1 a), in

order to judge the success of the treatment.
5.2 Assessment of the ecotoxic potential of soils / soil materials
5.2.1 General

If soils or soil materials are assessed with respect to their intended use or re-use, the tests (see

ISO 15799) appropriate to evaluate their quality regarding the retention (see Table 1) and/or habitat

functions (see Table 2) should be applied. A strategy for the assessment of the ecotoxicological

characterization of soils and soil materials is proposed in Figure 1. The chemical characterization of

soils should always be conducted to increase the reliability of interpretations of the ecotoxicological

results obtained upon the selected test battery.

The test battery usually includes a set of acute and chronic/sub-chronic toxicity tests. If acute toxicity

is detected, it is not necessary to perform other tests. On the other hand, if no acute effect is detected,

chronic/sub-chronic toxicity and genotoxicity test(s) shall be conducted.

The assessment of soil and soil materials may be influenced by the collection, handling and storage

methods followed. Thereby, standardized procedures should be conducted in accordance with

[11]
ISO 18400-206 .
4 © ISO
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