BS EN ISO 11268-1:2015

Foreword
Introduction
1 Scope
2 Normative references
3 Terms and definitions
4 Principle
5 Reagents and material
6 Apparatus
7 Procedure
8 Calculation and expression of results
9 Validity of the test
10 Statistical analysis
11 Test report
Annex A (informative) - Determination of the acute toxicity
        of chemicals (in particular pesticides) on earthworms
        under tropical test conditions
Annex B (informative) - Culturing of Eisenia fetida and
        Eisenia andrei
Annex C (informative) - Determination of water holding
        capacity of artificial soil
Annex D (informative) - Background information on the
        acute effect of boric acid on earthworms
Bibliography

Describes one of the methods for evaluating the habitat function of soils and determining the acute toxicity of soil contaminants and chemicals to Eisenia fetida/Eisenia andrei by dermal and alimentary uptake.

This part of ISO 11268 specifies one of the methods for evaluating the habitat function of soils and determining the acute toxicity of soil contaminants and chemicals to Eisenia fetida/Eisenia andrei by dermal and alimentary uptake. It is applicable to soils and soil materials of unknown quality, e.g. from contaminated sites, amended soils, soils after remediation, agricultural or other sites concerned, and waste materials.

Effects of substances are assessed using a standard soil, preferably a defined artificial soil substrate. For contaminated soils, the effects on survival are determined in the test soil and in a control soil. According to the objective of the study, the control and dilution substrate (dilution series of contaminated soil) should be either an uncontaminated soil comparable to the soil sample to be tested (reference soil) or a standard soil (e.g. artificial soil).

Information is provided on how to use this method for testing chemicals under temperate as well as under tropical conditions.

The method is not applicable to volatile substances, i.e. 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 method does not take into account the possible degradation of the substances or contaminants during the test.