Overview
EN ISO 11268-3:2015 / ISO 11268-3:2014 - "Soil quality - Effects of pollutants on earthworms - Part 3" provides standardized guidance for conducting field tests to determine the effects of chemicals and pollutants on earthworm populations. The standard covers techniques for assessing species abundance, biomass and diversity in treated versus control plots, and is applicable to chemicals applied to or incorporated into soil (including injections and drilled pelleted formulations). The method is commonly called the earthworm field test and is used in ecotoxicology and soil quality assessment.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Test objective and scope: Field determination of effects of substances on earthworms; supports comparison with laboratory studies (units mg a.i./kg soil dry mass).
- Experimental design: Randomized complete block design with four replicates per treatment; sampling dates chosen to coincide with earthworm activity; typical study duration is about one year.
- Endpoints: Species composition, abundance (numbers), biomass and diversity; statistical analysis of abundance and biomass by species and sampling occasion.
- Sampling and handling: Sampling procedures are specified (reference to ISO 23611-1 for hand-sorting and formalin extraction); guidance on preservation, biomass determination and species identification.
- Application rates and units: Application expressed as kg/ha or l/ha (formulated materials reported as active ingredient), and soil concentrations as mg a.i./kg dry soil.
- Reagents and apparatus: Examples include formalin solutions, 70% ethanol, and a reference substance (e.g., carbendazim); basic field and lab equipment (sampling tools, containers, dissecting microscope, balance).
- Data assessment & validity: Statistical methods for comparing treated and control plots; criteria for test validity and reporting requirements.
- Annexes: Additional pesticide testing requirements and regional species/community information.
Practical applications
- Assessing ecotoxicological effects of pesticides, industrial chemicals and contaminated soils under realistic field conditions.
- Supporting regulatory risk assessments and environmental impact studies where field-level exposure and ecological responses are required.
- Generating earthworm samples for residue analysis when uptake or bioaccumulation data are needed.
- Informing soil quality monitoring, remediation evaluation and sustainable land-management decisions.
Who uses this standard
- Environmental and ecotoxicology laboratories
- Regulatory agencies and risk assessors
- Pesticide and agrochemical manufacturers
- Soil ecologists, consultants and remediation practitioners
- Standardization and research organizations conducting field bioassays
Related standards
Keywords: soil quality, earthworm field test, ecotoxicology, EN ISO 11268-3:2015, ISO 11268-3:2014, earthworm sampling, biomass, species abundance, pesticide testing.
