Preparation and performance of ecotoxicological test methods under practical conditions - a project overview and first results -

摘要

The German Federal Soil Protection Act (BBodSchG) names groundwater and soil, in its function as a habitat for soil organisms and plants, as major targets for protection. The Federal Soil Protection and Contaminated Sites Ordinance determined soil values for priority contaminants. However, for an assessment of contaminated soils or soil materials referencing just a few pollutants is not sufficient In contrast, the application of ecotoxicological tests enables the integrated evaluation of all pollutants. Such an approach requires one to discriminate between the assessment of an impairment of the soil as a habitat for soil organisms and plants and the assessment of the water extractable toxic potential (soil is the protective medium for groundwater). Since the beginning of the 1990s, there have been intense efforts at both the national and international (e.g. EU, ISO) level to develop suitable and standardised test methods for appraising both soil habitat and groundwater protection (Fig. 1). Therefore, the aim of the ERNTE joint research project is to improve the assessment of soil quality by application of ecotoxicological tests under practical conditions (i.e. routine use). Results of former BMBF research projects (e.g. the project "Ecotoxicological Test Batteries") are considered in this context.