ISO 11267:2023

Overview

ISO 11267:2023 - "Soil quality - Inhibition of reproduction of Collembola (Folsomia candida) by soil contaminants" is an international standard that specifies a chronic laboratory test method to evaluate the habitat function of soils by measuring sublethal effects of soil contaminants on the reproduction of the springtail Folsomia candida. The method addresses exposure via dermal and alimentary uptake and is applicable to a wide range of soils and soil materials, including contaminated sites, amended or remediated soils, industrial and agricultural sites, and wastes. The standard excludes volatile substances (Henry’s constant or air/water partition coefficient > 1, or vapour pressure > 300 Pa at 25 °C).

Key topics and technical requirements

• Test organism: Folsomia candida (parthenogenetic springtail), widely used as a representative Collembolan for soil ecotoxicology.
• Test scope: Chronic reproduction test to detect inhibition of offspring production; suitable for soils of unknown quality and for substances mixed into a substrate (non‑volatile only).
• Exposure routes: Dermal and alimentary uptake in soil.
• Experimental design:
  • Range-finding and definitive multi‑concentration tests, plus single‑concentration (limit) tests.
  • Preparation of test mixtures (contaminated soil or substances added to substrate) and controls.
• Measurements and endpoints:
  • Survival and reproductive output (adult survivors and juveniles).
  • Calculation and expression of results using ECx (effect concentration) and ERx (effect rate) metrics.
• Validity and statistics:
  • Criteria for test validity, statistical analysis guidance for single and multi‑concentration data, and derivation of ECx/ERx.
• Supporting procedures and annexes:
  • Techniques for rearing and breeding F. candida, water‑holding capacity determination, pH adjustment guidance, extraction and counting methods, and information on alternative Collembolan species.

Practical applications and users

ISO 11267:2023 is used by:

• Environmental testing laboratories performing soil ecotoxicity assays.
• Regulatory agencies assessing site contamination, risk assessment, and remediation effectiveness.
• Remediation consultants and environmental engineers evaluating habitat quality after treatment.
• Agricultural and industrial stakeholders monitoring soil impacts from chemicals and wastes.
• Ecotoxicologists and researchers studying soil faunal responses to contaminants.

Practical uses include evaluating contaminated soils, comparing reference vs. impacted sites, guiding remediation decisions, and screening non‑volatile substances for sublethal hazards to soil arthropods.

Related standards and keywords

• Related ISO soil test standards referenced: ISO 10390 (pH), ISO 10694 (organic/total carbon), ISO 11260 (CEC), ISO 11277 (particle size), ISO 11465 (dry matter/water content), ISO 18400‑206 (sampling).
• SEO keywords: ISO 11267:2023, soil quality, Collembola test, Folsomia candida reproduction test, soil contaminants, ecotoxicology, chronic soil test, ECx, ERx, contaminated site assessment.