Establishment and Application of Ecotoxicological Tests for Soil Protection in Switzerland

Although soil has numerous important functions for us and Switzerland actively undertakes soil protection, the contamination of soil is primarily measured through the chemical analysis of specific pollutants. However, ecotoxicological bioassays are necessary to determine the effect of contamination on the soil fauna. Nevertheless, there are no standardised and recommended test systems for this application. The Ecotox Centre optimises and standardises various ecotoxicological tests for soil protection in Switzerland.

Proposed bioassays

Avoidance test with earthworms (ISO 17512-1 (2008))

• Eisenia fetida, Eisenia andrei
• Duration: 3 days
• Fast screening method for determining the habitat function of soils and the effect of pollutants and chemicals on the behaviour of earthworms

Reproduction test with springtails (Collembola) (ISO 11267 (1999) und OECD 232 (2009))

• Folsomia candida
• Duration: 28 days
• Method for determining the effects of chemicals on the reproduction rate of Collembola in soil

Bait Lamina Test (functional method; no international standards available)

• Soil organisms (e.g. earthworms, springtails, centipedes, enchytraeidae)
• Holes in perforated PVC strips are filled with a bait mixture (cellulose, wheat bran and powdered activated carbon)
• Field and lab experiments
• Duration: 4 days to 4 weeks
• Measurement of the feeding activity of the soil organisms
• Multi-purpose use, e.g. for determining the contamination or contamination gradients in soil