Overview
EN ISO 11267:2023 - Soil quality - Inhibition of reproduction of Collembola (Folsomia candida) by soil contaminants - is an ISO/CEN standard for a chronic ecotoxicological test that evaluates the habitat function of soils. The method measures sublethal effects (reproductive inhibition) in the springtail Folsomia candida following dermal and alimentary uptake of soil contaminants. It is applicable under temperate conditions to soils and soil materials of unknown quality (contaminated sites, amended soils, post‑remediation soils, industrial/agricultural sites, and waste materials). The method is explicitly not applicable to volatile substances (air/water partition coefficient or Henry’s constant > 1, or vapour pressure > 300 Pa at 25 °C).
Key topics and technical requirements
- Test organism: Folsomia candida (parthenogenetic, widely distributed, easy to culture). Annex E gives guidance on alternative Collembolan species.
- Test design: Range‑finding and definitive (multi‑concentration) experimental designs to establish dose–response for reproduction.
- Test matrix: Procedures for testing contaminated soils and for adding substances to test substrates (including artificial soil).
- Exposure routes: Dermal and alimentary uptake pathways considered.
- Procedure elements:
- Preparation of test mixtures and controls
- Addition and handling of biological material
- Standardized test conditions and measurement intervals
- Extraction and counting of Collembola (Annex D)
- Quality criteria: Validity criteria for control performance and acceptance of results.
- Results: Calculation and expression of reproductive inhibition, plus statistical analysis methods for single‑ and multi‑concentration tests.
- Supporting guidance: Rearing techniques (Annex A), water‑holding capacity determination (Annex B), pH adjustment of artificial soil (Annex C).
- Edition note: Third edition (2023) supersedes EN ISO 11267:2014 and adds guidance for alternative species.
Applications and users
- Environmental laboratories performing soil ecotoxicity testing
- Regulators and risk assessors assessing soil quality, contaminated‑site investigations, and remediation verification
- Consultants in remediation, waste management, and industrial site assessment
- Research groups studying soil ecotoxicology, soil biota responses, and hazard assessment of chemicals in soil
- Useful for complementing chemical analyses and aquatic eluate tests to assess habitat function and terrestrial risk
Related standards
- Part of the ISO/TC 190 Soil quality family of standards and complements other standardized soil ecotoxicological methods (earthworm, enchytraeid, and aquatic eluate tests). Refer to national bodies or ISO/CEN catalogs for specific related test standards.
Keywords: EN ISO 11267:2023, soil quality, Collembola, Folsomia candida, reproduction inhibition, soil contaminants, chronic test, ecotoxicological test, contaminated sites, artificial soil.
