DANSK DSF/ISO/FDIS 21479 PDF

This standard describes a method to compare the quality of soils by determining the fatty acid composition of the leaves of plant species grown on these soils. Because plant fatty acid composition can vary as functions of climatic conditions, the areas to compare must share the same climatic conditions (humidity, temperature, sunlight). This method does not make it possible to determine an optimal value of the Omega-3 index, and therefore cannot be used to determine the intrinsic quality of a soil from a specific area (regard as homogeneous). The method can be only used to compare the quality of soils between various areas. This method is applicable to: – soils from contaminated sites; – amended soils; – soils after remediation; – soil with waste products (e.g. slurry, manure, sludge or composts). The Omega-3 index being an early indicator, its measurement is not relevant when a strong visual phenotype (highly reduced biomass, high leaf chlorosis…) is detected for plants having grown on one area, and not detected on another area. Alternatively, the quality of soils can be assessed by determining Omega-3 index of Lactuca sativa seedlings grown on these soils under controlled conditions (i.e. phytotronic chamber) and by comparing it to that obtained on control soils (see Annex A)