DIN ISO 17512-1:2010-06

This document specifies a rapid screening method for evaluating the habitat function of soils and the influence of contaminants and chemicals on earthworm behaviour. The sublethal test is a rapid method that reflects the bioavailability of contaminant mixtures in natural soils and substances spiked into soils to Eisenia fetida and Eisenia andrei. The avoidance behaviour of the worms is the endpoint of the test. Ecotoxicological test systems are applied to obtain information about the effects of contaminants in soil and are proposed to complement conventional chemical analysis (see ISO 15799). ISO 15799 includes a list and short characterisation of recommended and standardized test systems. Aquatic test systems with soil eluate are applied to obtain information about the fraction of contaminants potentially reaching the groundwater by the water path (retention function of soils), whereas terrestrial test systems are used to assess the habitat function of soils. As standardised test systems, a mortality test (ISO 11268-1) and a reproduction test (ISO 11268-2) exist to investigate the habitat function of a soil with respect to earthworms as representatives of the soil biocenosis. The reproduction test with earthworms (ISO 11268-2) is applied to detect effects resulting from sublethal concentrations. Such endpoints are preferred in order to obtain information on environmental effects. However, the reproduction test is very labour-intensive and time-consuming, requires long incubation periods with results obtained only after 56 days. As the test period and the work expense dictate the costs of a given test, it is preferable to obtain the results within a short test period and at a high level of sensitivity. That is especially the case for the assessment of remediated soils. This feature is offered by the avoidance test with Eisenia fetida and Eisenia andrei. Experiences gained in a laboratory comparison test with eight contaminated soils in three laboratories demonstrate that the avoidance test is as sensitive as the reproduction test. However, it is not intended for this test to entirely replace the earthworm reproduction test. It is necessary to call in experts or specialized facilities when work is executed according to this standard. In Germany, the use of the two section units is recommended as the preferred system. DIN ISO 17512 consists of the following parts which are published under the main title "Soil quality - Avoidance tests for determining the quality of soils and effects of chemicals on behaviour": Part 1: Tests with earthworms (Eisenia fetida and Eisenia andrei) Part 2: Tests with collembolans (Folsomia candida) The responsible Committee is NA 119-01-02-04 UA "Biologische Verfahren" ("Biological Methods") at DIN.