ISO 18400-206-2018 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 18400-206:2018 — Soil quality — Sampling — Part 206: Collection, handling and storage of soil under aerobic conditions for the assessment of microbiological processes, biomass and diversity in the laboratory. This document provides standardized procedures to collect, handle and store soil samples in ways that preserve aerobic biological properties for later laboratory assessment of microbial processes, biomass and diversity and for ecotoxicological tests with microorganisms, invertebrates and plants.

Abstract

The standard describes measures to minimise alterations to temperature, water content and oxygen availability and to limit particle-size fractionation during sampling, transport and storage so that laboratory determinations of aerobic microbiological processes and biological structure are reproducible. It is mainly applicable to temperate soils; soils from extreme climates may require adapted handling. The document is not intended for situations where anaerobic conditions must be maintained or for field assessment procedures of soil organism communities (which are covered by ISO 23611 series).

General information

• Status: Published (current edition; under review for revision).
• Publication date: October 2018 (published 19 October 2018).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO), technical committee ISO/TC 190/SC 4.
• ICS / categories: 13.080.05 (Soil quality).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2018).
• Number of pages: 10 (official ISO publication).

Scope

This part of ISO 18400 specifies procedures for collection, handling and storage of soil samples that will be used in laboratory assessments of aerobic microbiological processes, microbial biomass, and microbial/biological diversity. It applies to samples intended for testing effects on microorganisms, invertebrates and plants under aerobic laboratory conditions. It excludes handling where anaerobic conditions must be preserved and does not replace field procedures for organism community structure and function (see ISO 23611‑1 to ISO 23611‑6). The guidance emphasises controlling temperature, moisture and oxygen exposure and minimising particle-size changes to preserve biological integrity until analysis.

Key topics and requirements

• Definitions and description of target biological endpoints (microbial processes, biomass, diversity).
• Recommended sampling tools and sample volumes to minimise disturbance and contamination.
• Instructions for on-site handling: sieving limits, removal of litter, immediate temperature and moisture control.
• Transport and storage conditions: temperature ranges, maximum storage times, oxygenation/venting guidance for aerobic assessments.
• Procedures to avoid particle-size fractionation and to document sample provenance, chain of custody and handling history.
• Notes on special cases: extreme climates (permafrost, arid tropical soils) and when to adapt procedures.

Typical use and users

Used by environmental laboratories, soil scientists, ecotoxicologists, regulatory agencies, consultants and researchers who collect soil for laboratory assays of aerobic microbiological activity, biomass measurements (e.g., microbial biomass carbon), and molecular or diversity analyses where preserving aerobic biological characteristics is critical.

Related standards

ISO 18400-206 is part of the ISO 18400 series on soil sampling and is used alongside other parts such as ISO 18400-104 (sampling strategies) and ISO 18400-205 (guidance on investigation procedures for natural and cultivated sites). Field methods for assessing soil organism communities are given in the ISO 23611 series. The standard replaces or continues aspects of earlier ISO/EN documents (for example some material previously in ISO 10381‑6:2009 has been superseded by the 18400 series).

Keywords

soil quality; sampling; microbiological processes; microbial biomass; microbial diversity; aerobic storage; sample handling; sample transport; ISO 18400; environmental sampling.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 18400-206:2018 is an international standard that provides procedures for collecting, handling and storing soil samples destined for laboratory assessment of aerobic microbiological processes, biomass and diversity.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers on-site handling, recommended sample volumes and tools, measures to control temperature, moisture and oxygen during transport and storage, limits on storage time, and guidance to minimise particle-size fractionation—specifically for tests requiring aerobic conditions.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Environmental and soil laboratories, researchers, consultants, regulators and field sampling teams who need to preserve aerobic biological properties of soil samples for laboratory analysis.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2018 edition is the current published version; the ISO record shows the standard was reviewed/confirmed in 2024 and the document is at the stage to be revised, with a DIS (draft) under development to update it.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 206 of the ISO 18400 series on soil quality sampling and is intended to be used with other parts of the series (for strategy, site investigation and related sampling guidance).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Soil sampling; aerobic conditions; microbiology; microbial biomass; microbial diversity; sample transport; sample storage; ISO 18400.