DIN EN ISO 22030:2011-09

This International Standard describes a method for determining the inhibition of the growth and reproductive capability of higher plants by soils under controlled conditions. Two species are recommended: a rapid-cycling variant of turnip rape (Brassica rapa CrGC or Rbr) and oat (Avena sativa). The duration of test should be sufficient to include chronic endpoints that demonstrate the reproductive capability of the test plants. By using natural test soils, for example, from contaminated sites or remediated soils, and by comparing the development of the test plants in these soils with reference or standard control soils, this test can be used to assess soil quality, especially the function of the soil as a habitat for plants. Annex A describes modifications allowing use of the chronic plant assay for the testing of chemicals incorporated into soil. By preparing a dilution series of a test substance in standard control soils, the same endpoints can be measured to assess the chronic toxicity of chemicals. This method is not applicable to volatile substances, that is, substances for which H (Henry's constant) or the air/water partition coefficient is greater than 1, or for which the vapour pressure exceeds 0,013 3 Pa at 25 °C. This International Standard describes a procedure for evaluating the quality of soils of different origin carrying unknown contaminations. The method, slightly modified, can also be used to measure the toxicity of known chemicals incorporated into soil. The evaluation of the inhibition and chronic toxicity is based on emergence, vegetative growth and reproductive capacity of at least two species of higher plants. This International Standard is based on: a) results of the research project "Development of a chronic bioassay using higher plants", sponsored by the German Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF), Bonn, and b) discussions within the joint project "Ecotoxicological Test Batteries" forming part of the BMBF Joint Research Group "Processes for the Bioremediation of Soil". The text of ISO 22030:2005 has been prepared by ISO/TC 190 "Soil quality" of the International Organization of Standardization (ISO) and has been adopted as EN ISO 22030:2011 by Technical Committee CEN/TC 345 "Characterization of soils", the secretariat of which is held by NEN. The text of ISO 22030:2005 has been approved by CEN as EN ISO 22030:2011 without any modifications. The Committee responsible for this standard is NA 119-01-02-04 UA "Biologische Verfahren" ("Biological methods") at DIN.