BS EN ISO 21285:2020 - Soil Quality Standard

Discover the essential standard for assessing soil quality and its impact on the reproduction of the soil mite, Hypoaspis aculeifer. The BS EN ISO 21285:2020 provides a comprehensive framework for evaluating how soil contaminants can inhibit the reproduction of this crucial soil organism, offering invaluable insights for environmental scientists, ecologists, and soil quality experts.

Overview

The BS EN ISO 21285:2020 standard is a pivotal document for understanding the interaction between soil contaminants and the reproductive capabilities of the soil mite, Hypoaspis aculeifer. Released on May 20, 2020, this standard is a must-have for professionals involved in soil quality assessment and environmental protection. With 30 pages of detailed guidelines, it provides a robust methodology for conducting tests and interpreting results.

Key Features

• Standard Number: BS EN ISO 21285:2020
• Pages: 30
• Release Date: 2020-05-20
• ISBN: 978 0 539 06980 8
• Status: Standard

Importance of Soil Mites

Soil mites, particularly Hypoaspis aculeifer, play a vital role in the ecosystem. They contribute to the decomposition of organic matter, nutrient cycling, and the overall health of the soil. Understanding how contaminants affect their reproduction is crucial for maintaining soil quality and ensuring sustainable agricultural practices.

Why Choose BS EN ISO 21285:2020?

This standard is designed to provide a clear and concise methodology for assessing the impact of soil contaminants on the reproduction of Hypoaspis aculeifer. It is an essential tool for:

• Environmental scientists seeking to understand the ecological impact of soil pollutants.
• Regulatory bodies aiming to set guidelines for soil contamination levels.
• Agricultural professionals interested in maintaining soil health and productivity.

Comprehensive Testing Methodology

The BS EN ISO 21285:2020 standard outlines a detailed testing procedure that includes:

• Preparation of test soil samples.
• Introduction of Hypoaspis aculeifer to the test environment.
• Monitoring and recording reproduction rates under various contaminant conditions.
• Data analysis and interpretation to assess the impact of contaminants.

Benefits of Implementing the Standard

By adhering to the BS EN ISO 21285:2020 standard, organizations can:

• Ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
• Enhance the accuracy and reliability of soil quality assessments.
• Contribute to the development of sustainable land management practices.
• Protect biodiversity by understanding and mitigating the effects of soil contaminants.

Conclusion

The BS EN ISO 21285:2020 standard is an indispensable resource for anyone involved in soil quality assessment and environmental protection. By providing a structured approach to evaluating the impact of soil contaminants on the reproduction of Hypoaspis aculeifer, it helps ensure the health and sustainability of our ecosystems. Whether you are an environmental scientist, a regulatory body, or an agricultural professional, this standard will equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to make informed decisions about soil management and protection.

BS EN ISO 21285:2020

This standard BS EN ISO 21285:2020 Soil quality. Inhibition of reproduction of the soil mite (Hypoaspis aculeifer) by soil contaminants is classified in these ICS categories:

• 13.080.30 Biological properties of soils

This document specifies a chronic test method for evaluating the habitat function of soils and determining effects of soil contaminants and substances on the reproduction of Hypoaspis aculeifer by – mainly – alimentary uptake. This method is applicable to soils and soil materials of unknown quality, e.g. from contaminated sites, amended soils, soils after remediation, industrial, agricultural or other sites under concern and waste materials (e.g. dredged material, municipal sludge from a wastewater treatment plant, composed material, or manure, especially those for possible land disposal). The reproduction (= number of juveniles) is the measured parameter of the test. The test reflects the bioavailability of a mixture of contaminants in natural soils (contaminated site soils) to a species which represents a trophic level which is not covered by other ISO standards. This test is not intended to replace the earthworm (see ISO 11268‑2) or Collembola (see ISO 11267) reproduction tests since this species belongs not only to a different trophic group but also a different taxonomic group (= mites; i.e. arachnids) than those used usually.

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

This document provides information on how to use this method for testing samples (soils or substances) under temperate conditions.

This document is not applicable 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.

NOTE The stability of the test substance cannot be ensured over the test period. No provision is made in the test method for monitoring the persistence of the substance under test.