ISO 10381-6-2009 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 10381-6:2009 — Soil quality — Sampling — Part 6: Guidance on the collection, handling and storage of soil under aerobic conditions for the assessment of microbiological processes, biomass and diversity in the laboratory. This edition provides practical guidance for field sampling and short-term sample handling to preserve aerobic microbial characteristics for laboratory assessment.

Abstract

ISO 10381-6:2009 gives guidance on selecting sampling locations, collecting soil samples, and the handling, transport and storage of soil intended for laboratory assessment of aerobic microbiological processes, microbial biomass and microbial diversity. The recommendations apply primarily to temperate soils and aerobic conditions; they are not intended for soils that must be kept anaerobic. The standard was published in March 2009 and has since been withdrawn and superseded by newer ISO 18400-series standards covering sampling and handling for biological and microbiological analyses.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn / superseded
• Publication date: March 2009 (Edition 2)
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
• ICS / categories: 13.080.05 (Soil quality)
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2009)
• Number of pages: 6

Scope

This part of ISO 10381 describes procedures and practical recommendations for the collection, handling, transport and storage of soil samples when the objective is to assess aerobic microbiological processes, microbial biomass and microbial diversity in the laboratory. It covers selection and description of sampling locations, sampling conditions and methods, sample identification and marking, transport conditions, short-term processing, storage conditions and allowable storage periods prior to analysis, plus any necessary pre-incubation steps. The guidance is aimed mainly at temperate soils; soils from extreme climates (for example permafrost or tropical soils) may need special procedures. It explicitly excludes procedures where anaerobic conditions must be maintained throughout.

Key topics and requirements

• Selection and description of sampling locations and field-site metadata to support microbiological interpretation.
• Recommended sampling methods and sample sizes suitable for microbiological assays.
• Sample labelling, chain-of-custody and documentation requirements.
• Instructions for immediate in-field handling to minimise disturbance and contamination.
• Transport conditions (temperature control, protection from desiccation or overheating) to preserve aerobic microbial communities.
• Short-term storage recommendations (temperature ranges, maximum storage times) prior to laboratory analysis.
• Processing guidance (sieving, homogenisation) to prepare subsamples for biomass, diversity and process assays while minimising artefacts.
• Notes on pre-incubation or equilibration steps required for some biological assays.
• Limitations: not applicable for samples that must remain anaerobic; special handling advised for extreme climates.

Typical use and users

Laboratories performing soil microbiology and ecotoxicology tests, environmental and agricultural consultants, soil scientists, researchers studying microbial biomass or diversity, regulators and organizations conducting environmental monitoring or impact assessments. The standard is used as practical field and laboratory guidance to ensure samples are representative and microbiological integrity is preserved until analysis.

Related standards

ISO 10381-6:2009 is part of the ISO 10381 series on soil sampling; earlier edition ISO 10381-6:1993 was superseded by the 2009 edition. The 2009 edition has been withdrawn and the subject matter has been incorporated into and replaced by the ISO 18400 series (notably ISO 18400-102, ISO 18400-105, ISO 18400-104 and ISO 18400-206 published in 2017–2018), which cover sampling and handling methods for biological, microbiological and related analyses.

Keywords

soil quality, soil sampling, microbiological processes, microbial biomass, microbial diversity, aerobic conditions, sample handling, sample storage, transport, ISO 10381, ISO 18400

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 10381-6:2009 is an ISO guidance standard that describes how to collect, handle, transport and store soil samples intended for laboratory assessment of aerobic microbiological processes, microbial biomass and microbial diversity.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers selection and description of sampling locations, sampling methods, sample identification and documentation, immediate field handling, transport conditions, short-term storage and processing steps to preserve aerobic microbial characteristics for laboratory tests. It excludes procedures that require maintenance of anaerobic conditions.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Environmental laboratories, soil microbiologists, researchers, consultants, and regulatory bodies involved in soil monitoring, ecotoxicology, agricultural studies and environmental impact assessments where microbial endpoints are measured.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 10381-6:2009 has been withdrawn; it was published in March 2009 (Edition 2) and later withdrawn and superseded by parts of the ISO 18400 series (standards published in 2017–2018) that now cover sampling and handling for biological and microbiological analyses.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes. It is one part of the ISO 10381 series on soil sampling. The technical scope has since been folded into the ISO 18400 series, which provides newer, consolidated guidance for sampling and handling for biological and microbiological tests.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Soil sampling, microbiology, aerobic, sample handling, sample storage, microbial biomass, microbial diversity, soil quality, ISO 10381, ISO 18400.