DIN EN ISO 20963:2011-09

This International Standard describes a method for the determination of the effects of contaminated soils and substances on the survival of the larvae of Oxythyrea funesta. The larvae are exposed to the pollutants by cuticular and alimentary uptake. For contaminated soils, the effects on the survival are determined in the test soil and in a control soil. Depending on the objectives of the study, the control and dilution substrates (dilution series of contaminated soil) are either uncontaminated soil comparable to the soil sample to be tested or artificial soil substrate. Effects of substances are assessed using a defined artificial soil substrate. This International Standard is not applicable to volatile substances, that is, substances for which Henry's constant or the air/water partition coefficient is greater than 1, or for which the vapour pressure exceeds 0,001 33 Pa at 25 °C. This International Standard describes a method for the determination of the acute toxicity of contaminated soils and chemicals to the larvae of Oxythyrea funesta, a phytophagous coleopteran (Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae) with wide geographic distribution (Europe, North Africa and the Middle East). Oxythyrea funesta has many characteristics which make it suitable for soil quality monitoring or testing effects of chemicals: - ecological relevance: this type of organism contributes in many ways to soil structure by stimulating soil aeration and drainage; - the first stages of development, that is, incubation of eggs, larval cycle and pupation, are underground; - the larvae of Oxythyrea funesta are tolerant to modifications of the test substrate granulometry; - this species can be bred under controlled conditions. The text of ISO 20963:2005 has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 190 "Soil quality" of the International Organization of Standardization (ISO) and has been adopted as EN ISO 20963:2011 by Technical Committee CEN/TC 345 "Characterization of soils", the secretariat of which is held by NEN. The text of ISO 20963:2005 has been approved by CEN as EN ISO 20963:2011 without any modifications. The Committee responsible for this standard is NA 119-01-02-04 UA "Biologische Verfahren" ("Biological methods") at DIN.