CONTENTS 1. Decision aids for evaluating the necessity of toxicological/ecotoxicological soil investigation 1 1.1 Scope and restrictions of ecotoxicologlcal methods of testing 1 1.2 Soils and areas of soil use where ecotoxicologlcal tests are not necessary 2 1.3 Soils and areas of soil use where ecotoxicologlcal tests should be considered 2 2. Assessment of the toxic/ecotoxic potential of soils in terms of the different land uses and soil functions 4 2.1 Classification according to land uses and soil functions 4 2.2 Examination of the retention function of soil 6 2.3 Examination of the habitat function of soil as a plant location 7 2.4 Examination of the habitat function of soil for biocenoses 8 3. Bioassays for evaluating the toxic/ecotoxic potential of soils 9 3.1 Sampling, transport, storage and sample preparation 9 3.1.1 Soil sampling and transport of samples 9 3.1.2 Sample preparation and storage 11 3.1.3 Preparation of soil extracts for aquatic tests 12 3.1.4 Determination of the maximum water holding capacity (WHCmax) 13 3 1.5 Adjusting the water content to a set level 14 3.1.6 Documentation 14 3.2 Evaluation of the retention function of soils 16 3.2.1 Inhibition of the luminescence of Vibrio fisclieri (luminescent bacteria test) 16 3.2.2 Inhibition of growth of Vibrio fischeri (cell multiplication inhibition test) 17 3.2.3 Inhibition of biomass production: algae test with Scenedesmus subspicc&us 18 3.2.4 Acute immobilization test with Dapfinia magna 20 3.3 Evaluation of the soil as a habitat for plant growth 22 3.3.1 Inhibition of plant growth 22 3.4 Evaluation of the soil as a habitat for biocenoses 25 3.4.1 Inhibition of substrate-induced microbial respiratory activity 25 3.4.2 Inhibition of the ammonium oxidation activity (nitrification) 27 3.4.3 Mortality of the earthworm Eiserda fetida 29 4. Assessment of the results from (eco)toxicological testing of contaminated and cleaned soils 31 4.1 Process control during bioremediation 31 4.2 Assessment of soils for possible reuse 31 42.1 Assessment of results: retention function 33 4.2.2 Assessment of results: habitat function 35 5. Other bioassays for evaluation of soil-related effects of pollutants and chemicals 36 5.1 Retention function of soil 36 5.1.1 Inhibition of luminescence Ffiotoriiabdus (Xenoriiabdus) Iwninescens (luminescent bacteria test) 36 5.1.2 Inhibition of growth of Fliotoriiabdus (Xenoriiabdm) luminescent (cell multiplication inhibition test) 36 5.1.3 Determination of the mortality of nematodes 37 5.1.4 Determination of the change in membrane integrity of fibroblasts from fish caused by pollutants (fish cell / neutral red test) 37 5.1.5 Determination of the mutagenic potential of aqueous eluates and extracts by the Salmonella test (Ames test) 37 5.1.6 Determination of the mutagenic potential of aqueous eluates and extracts by the umu test 38 5.1.7 Determination of the mutagenic effects of aqueous eluates and extracts by the SOS chromotest 38 5.2 Soil function as a habitat for plants 39 5.2.1 Determination of the effect of bound residues by applying the contact bioassay with Bacillus cereus 39 5.2.2 Determination of the effect of pollutants on soil flora - Inhibition of root growth 39 5.2.3 Determination of the effect of pollutants on soil by applying the nodulation of legume-rhizobia symbiosis as a sensitive growth parameter 40 5.2.4 Inhibition of the biomass production of spring barley 40 5.2.5 Root elongation test using Lepidiwn sativwn L. 41 5.2.6 Determination of injury to plant cell cultures 41 5.3 Habitat function of the soil for biocenoses 42 5.3.1 Determination of nitrogen mineralization and nitrification 42 5.3.2 Determination of the effects of pollutants on earthworms (Eisenia fetida) - reproduction test 42 5.3.3 Determination of the effect of pollutants on Collembola 42 5.3.4 Determination of the effect of pollutants on enzyme activities in the soil 43 5.3.5 Determination of the effect of pollutants on small oligochaetes 43 5.3.6 Determination of the effect of pollutants on Staphylimdae 44 6. Where to get test organisms and seeds 45