ISO 16665:2014 PDF

Overview

ISO 16665:2014 - Water quality: Guidelines for quantitative sampling and sample processing of marine soft-bottom macrofauna - provides standardized guidance for collecting and processing subtidal soft‑bottom macrofaunal samples in marine waters. The standard covers development of a sampling programme, equipment requirements, field sampling and treatment, sorting and species identification, and storage/archiving of collected material. It is intended to support reliable, comparable data for marine environmental assessment and monitoring (including use with the EU Water Framework Directive).

Key topics and requirements

• Sampling programme and station positioning: guidance on designing a sampling plan, selecting sampling stations and reference stations, and documenting station coordinates and depth. (Note: accuracy of position fixing depends on area, equipment and objectives.)
• Sampling equipment: minimum requirements for grab and coring devices used to collect benthic macrofauna retained on 0.5 mm or 1 mm mesh screens.
• Field sampling and sample treatment: procedures for sample collection, immediate handling, fixation and recording of environmental descriptors (e.g., sediment and water properties).
• Sample processing and laboratory methods: sorting protocols, sample residue handling, taxon determination, quantification (counts, biomass) and reference collections.
• Quality assurance / quality control (QA/QC): training, equipment calibration, auditing, checklists, identification literature and procedures to ensure intercomparability between operators and surveys.
• Data reporting and storage: recommendations for reporting taxonomic lists, abundance, biomass and for archiving specimens and metadata.
• Scope limits and exclusions: does not specifically address deep water (>750 m), estuarine or intertidal sampling, meiofauna, dredge/ sledge sampling, SCUBA sampling, bioassay sub-sampling or statistical design.

Practical applications

• Standardizes quantitative sampling methods for benthic macrofauna used in environmental impact assessments, routine monitoring, habitat mapping and pollution studies.
• Supports comparability of datasets over time and between organizations, improving reliability of biological indicators for water quality and sediment condition assessments.
• Informs operational procedures for field teams, laboratory taxonomists and data managers responsible for benthic community analysis.

Who uses ISO 16665:2014

• Marine ecologists and benthic taxonomists
• Environmental monitoring agencies and contractors
• Consultants performing marine impact assessments
• Research institutions conducting surveys of soft‑bottom macrofauna
• Regulatory bodies implementing monitoring programs (e.g., related to the EU Water Framework Directive)

Related standards

• ISO 5667 series (water quality sampling standards) - referenced for related sampling terminology and methods.