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2000
Book Article
Titel
Ecotoxicological assessment
Abstract
A lot of powerful test systems for the ecotoxicological characterization of contaminated sites have been developed in recent years. Some of them are standardized, some are in the process of standardization right now. Although the degree of standardization of the test systems has been improved, there is still a great variety in the fields of sample preparation and sample storage on the one hand and in the field of interpretation of test results on the one hand. Due to these circumstances it can be recommended that the methodic aspects should be documented in detail in order to ensure comparability of test results. There should be a strong emphasis on quality assessment and quality control. Despite of this lack of standardization ecotoxicological test systems can already be successfully applied before, during, and after remediation of contaminated sites. The obtained results provide important information on the biological and ecotoxicological status of the soil, and they should be considered during every process of soil remediation. For the implementation of the ecotoxicological characterisation of contaminated sites into the legally binding assessment of contaminated sites the following aspects seem to be of great importance for future research: (1) standardization of soil sampling, transport, sample preparation, sample storage, and test procedures; (2) selection of test systems with respect to soil functions; (3) harmonized definition of assessment criteria. By the application of these test systems a path-specific assessment of contaminated sites considering the intended future land use is possible. It provides important additional information which is complementary to the information derived from chemical analyses.