Suomen ympäristökeskus

This document provides guidance on the kind and extent of soil characterisation necessary for the evaluation of human exposure to substances present in the soil that could cause adverse effects. It does not provide guidance on:

This document specifies a method for the determination of the estrogenic potential of water and waste water by means of a reporter gene assay with genetically modified yeast strains Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This reporter gene assay is based on the activation of the human estrogen receptor alpha. This method is applicable to: The limit of quantification (LOQ) of this method for the direct analysis of water samples is between 8 ng/l and 15 ng/l 17ß-estradiol equivalents (EEQ) based on the results of the international interlaboratory trial (see Annex F). The upper threshold of the dynamic range for this test is between 120 ng/l and 160 ng/l 17ß-estradiol equivalents (EEQ). Samples showing estrogenic potencies above this threshold have to be diluted for a valid quantification. Extraction and pre-concentration of water samples can prove necessary, if their estrogenic potential is below the given LOQ.

This document specifies a method for the determination of the estrogenic potential of water and waste water by means of a reporter gene assay with a genetically modified yeast strain Arxula adeninivorans. This reporter gene assay is based on the activation of the human estrogen receptor alpha. Arxula adeninivorans is a highly robust and salt- and temperature-tolerant test organism and is especially suitable for the analysis of samples with high salinity (conductivity up to 70 mS/cm). The test organism can be cultivated in medium with sodium chloride content up to 20 %. This method is applicable to: The limit of quantification (LOQ) of this method for the direct analysis of water samples is between 1,5 ng/l and 3 ng/l 17ß-estradiol equivalents (EEQ). The upper threshold of the dynamic range for this test is between 25 ng/l and 40 ng/l 17ß-estradiol equivalents (EEQ). Samples showing estrogenic potencies above this threshold have to be diluted for a valid quantification. Extraction and pre-concentration of water samples can prove necessary, if their estrogenic potential is below the given LOQ. An international interlaboratory trial for the validation of this document has been carried out. The results are summarized in Annex F.

This document specifies a method for the determination of the estrogenic potential of water and waste water by means of a reporter gene assay utilizing stably transfected human cells. This reporter gene assay is based on the activation of the human estrogen receptor alpha. This method is applicable to:

This document specifies a semi-static method for determining the effects of contaminants on growth and survival of young snails, usually Helix aspersa aspersa Müller. The animals are exposed via the cutaneous and digestive route using a test substrate (artificial or natural soil according to the objective of the study) to which defined amounts of the following are added: This test takes into account the possible changes in the test substance, preparation, soil or waste material because the test mixtures are prepared and renewed every week during the 28-day test period. A static method may be implemented in addition to the semi-static method (optional). This method is described in Annex A. This method does not apply to substances for which the air/soil partition coefficient is greater than one, or to substances with vapour pressure exceeding 300 Pa, at 25 °C.

This document specifies a method for sampling, handling and extracting enchytraeids from terrestrial field soils as a prerequisite for using these animals as bioindicators (e.g. to assess the quality of a soil as a habitat for organisms). Basic information on the ecology of enchytraeids and their use as bioindicators in the terrestrial environment are included in the Bibliography. This document applies to all terrestrial biotopes in which enchytraeids occur. The sampling design of field studies in general is specified in ISO 18400-101. These details can vary according to the climatic/regional conditions of the site to be sampled and an overview on the determination of effects of pollutants on enchytraeids in field situations is given in Reference[6]. Methods for some other soil organism groups such as earthworms or arthropods are specified in ISO 23611-1, ISO 23611-2, ISO 23611-4 and ISO 23611-5. This document is not applicable for semi-terrestrial (i.e. living in or close to the pure water) soils and might be difficult to use under extreme climatic or geographical conditions (e.g. in high mountains). When sampling soil invertebrates, it is highly recommendable to characterize the site (e.g. concerning soil properties, climate and land use). However, such a characterization is not covered by this part of ISO 23611. ISO 10390, ISO 10694, ISO 11272, ISO 11274, ISO 11277, ISO 11461 and ISO 11465 are more suitable for measuring pH, particle size distribution, C/N ratio, organic carbon content and water holding capacity.

This European Standard specifies general requirements and performance test procedures for portable and fixed position measuring devices (MDs) that are used in an in-line or online operating position to measure physical and chemical determinands in water. It excludes at-line devices, such as chemical test kits, and off-line devices, such as laboratory analysers.The general requirements include functional facilities that MDs need to meet users’ applications and information that need to be included in associated documents.The test procedures specify uniform methods to be used when determining key performance characteristics of MDs. The performance tests comprise testing carried out under laboratory and field conditions.Statistical procedures are defined for evaluation of the test data. It is recognized that for some devices certain test procedures are not applicable.Example values for performance characteristics for a selection of MDs for monitoring waste water effluents and receiving waters are detailed in Annex A for guidance.This European Standard requires the manufacturer of a MD to provide more technical data for verification than does EN ISO 15839:2006 [5]. Consequently, EN ISO 15839 will be of greater assistance to manufacturers wishing to characterize a new device whereas this European Standard is more focussed on user requirements for the verification of manufacturer’s claims.

This document specifies a method for the quantitative determination of selected cyclic volatile methylsiloxanes (cVMS) in non-filtered water samples by purge and trap extraction with isotope dilution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). This method is applicable to the determination of individual cVMS including: in surface water, ground water, and wastewater. It can be applied to samples within the concentration range of 0,01 µg/l to 1 µg/l of each of the target compounds. Depending on the matrix, the method may also be applicable to higher concentrations ranging from 1 µg/l to 100 µg/l after suitable dilution of the sample or reduction in sample size.

This document specifies a method for the measurement of several hydrolase activities (arylamidase, arylsulfatase, ß-galactosidase, a-glucosidase, ß-glucosidase, N-acetyl-glucosaminidase, acid, alkalin and global phosphatases, urease) simultaneously (or not) in soil samples, using colorimetric substrates. Enzyme activities of soil vary seasonally and depend on soil chemical, physical and biological characteristics. Its application for the detection of harmful effects of toxic chemicals or other anthropogenic impacts depends on simultaneous comparison of enzyme activities in similar control soil as the test soil or on exposure tests with chemicals or treatments.

This document specifies laboratory methods for determination of the soil water-retention characteristic. This International Standard applies only to measurements of the drying or desorption curve. Four methods are described to cover the complete range of soil water pressures as follows: Guidelines are given to select the most suitable method in a particular case.

This European Standard specifies methods for the determination of the parameters pH, ammonium, AOX, As, Ba, Cd, Cl-, easily liberatable CN-, Co, Cr, Cr(VI), Cu, DOC/TOC, electrical conductivity, F-, Hg, Mo, Ni, NO2-, Pb, phenol index, total S, Sb, Se, SO42-, TDS, V and Zn in aqueous eluates for the characterization of waste.

This International Standard specifies a method for rapid on-site determination of water contents. The method is based on refractive index measurement of a sucrose solution after mixed with a soil sample. The output by an instrument is indicated either as refractive indexes or as sugar contents (e.g. Brix degrees). Both data can simply be converted into water contents. This International Standard is applicable to onsite determination of water contents in geological or geotechnical research as well as geotechnical engineering. Additionally, commercial work in a variety of fields, e.g. agriculture and civil engineering, is included in the scope. The working range is from zero to approximately 50 % moisture content. Depending of the refractometer used the moisture can be determined to about 0,5 % to 1 % (absolute). The method basically requires no preparation of samples while it works in a rapid, simple and inexpensive manner and is not significantly influenced by soil matrices.