Summary
The microbial respiration activity in the soil is regarded as an indicator for the presence of toxic substances and easily available sources of carbon. Especially when monitoring decontamination surfaces, it is important to obtain results as quickly as possible and with as little effort as possible.
Aim of this study was to integrate the measurement of soil respiration according to DIN/ISO 17155 as well as the measurement of the potential ammonium oxidation according to ISO/DIS 15685 in a battery of standardized biological test procedures for the characterisation of the ecotoxicological and genotoxicological potential of soils and soil materials. With this battery within short test possible time after sampling locally (mobile) an investigation course can be accomplished and evaluated. For this, the respiration measurement was so far modified that within 48 hours reproducible results are present.
Starting points of the reduction of the performance time were the soil preparation and the respiration measurement on the basis of related procedures and at the market available measuring instruments. The methods were validated on the basis contaminated samples and examined. Furthermore endpoints for the evaluation of potentially contaminated soils regarding their habitat function verified.
Results:
- On the basis of the results an evaluation pattern for the habitat function of potentially contaminated soils for micro-organisms was provided.
- Test kits are described and procedural instructions for the soil preparation and the activity measurements provided. In compliance with these instructions, the quality assurance will be ensured. Furthermore information concerning the interpretation of the results is provided.
