5.4 Soil

5.4.1 Development of Standards

Taking into consideration the issues discussed in the previous chapters the following KS/ISO Draft Standards have been proposed:

- DKS/ISO 466 Soil Quality - Extraction of trace elements soluble in aqua regia.
- DKS/ISO 10381-6 Soil Quality - Sampling
Part 6: Guidance on the collection,handling and storage of soil for the
assessment of aerobic microbial processes in the laboratory.
- DKS/ISO 10390 Soil Quality - Determination of pH.
- DKS/ISO 10693 Soil Quality - Determination of carbonate content - Volumetric method.
- DKS/ISO 10694 Soil Quality - Determination of organic and total carbon after dry combustion (elementary analysis).
- DKS/ISO 11048 Soil Quality - Determination of water- soluble and acid-soluble sulphate.
- DKS/ISO 11260 Soil Quality - Determination of effective cation exchange capacity and base saturation level using barium chloride solution.
- DKS/ISO 11261 Soil Quality - Determination of total nitrogen - Modified Kjeldal methods.
- DKS/ISO 11263 Soil Quality - Determination of phosphorus - Spectrometric determination of phosphorus soluble in hydrogen carbonate solution.
- DKS/ISO 11265 Soil Quality - Determination of the specific electrical conductivity.
-DKS/ISO 11268-1 Soil Quality - Effects of pollutants on earthworms (Eisenia fetida).
Part 1: Determination of acute toxicity using artificial soil substrate.
- DKS/ISO 11276 Soil Quality - Determination of pore water pressure - Tensiometer method.
- DKS/ISO 11269-1 Soil Quality - Determination of the effects of pollutants on Soil Flora.
Part 1: Method for the measurement of inhibition of root growth.
Part 2: Effects of chemicals on the emergence and growth of higher plants.
- DKS/ISO 11464 Soil Quality - Pretreatment of samples for physico-chemical analyses.
- DKS/ISO 11465 Soil Quality - Determination of dry matter and water content on a mass basis by a gravimetric method.
- DKS/ISO 13536 Soil Quality - Determination of the potential cation exchange capacity and exchangeable cations using barium chloride solution buffered at pH 8.1.

5.4.2 Implementation and enforcement of soil standards

The main objectives to be achieved in the enforcement of standards on soil are to:
- prevent degradation of soils,
- increase productivity of soils on a sustainable basis,
- promote optimal use of soils, and
- enhance overall environmental protection.

In order to realise these objectives, it will be necessary to do an inventory and classification of soils, establish a data bank on soils, identify causes of soil pollution and soil misuse, and to continually monitor soil conditions.

The regulations that will be required to implement and enforce these standards will deal with the following subjects:
(a) provisions for all matters in respect of which fees become payable;
(b) prescription on amounts of fees and the persons who are liable to pay;
(c) prescription of the forms to be used;
(d) provisions for matters connected with appeals;
(e) provisions for requiring persons to supply information relevant to the provisions under the Act or Regulations;
(f) accreditation of soil testing laboratories; and,
(g) appointment of inspectors and analysts.