EN ISO 16133:2011

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-november-2011
Kakovost tal - Navodilo za vzpostavitev in vzdrževanje programov monitoringa
(ISO 16133:2004)
Soil quality - Guidance on the establishment and maintenance of monitoring programmes
(ISO 16133:2004)
Bodenbeschaffenheit - Leitfaden zur Einrichtung und zum Betrieb von
Beobachtungsprogrammen (ISO 16133:2004)
Qualité du sol - Lignes directrices pour l'établissement et l'entretien de programmes de
surveillance (ISO 16133:2004)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 16133:2011
ICS:
13.080.05 Preiskava tal na splošno Examination of soils in
general
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN ISO 16133
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
June 2011
ICS 13.080.01
English Version
Soil quality - Guidance on the establishment and maintenance of
monitoring programmes (ISO 16133:2004)
Qualité du sol - Lignes directrices pour l'établissement et Bodenbeschaffenheit - Leitfaden zur Einrichtung und zum
l'entretien de programmes de surveillance (ISO Betrieb von Beobachtungsprogrammen (ISO 16133:2004)
16133:2004)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 10 June 2011.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same
status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels
© 2011 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 16133:2011: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
Foreword .3

Foreword
The text of ISO 16133:2004 has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 190 “Soil quality” of the
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and has been taken over as EN ISO 16133:2011 by
Technical Committee CEN/TC 345 “Characterization of soils” the secretariat of which is held by NEN.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical
text or by endorsement, at the latest by December 2011, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn
at the latest by December 2011.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. CEN [and/or CENELEC] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Endorsement notice
The text of ISO 16133:2004 has been approved by CEN as a EN ISO 16133:2011 without any modification.

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 16133
First edition
2004-03-15
Soil quality — Guidance on the
establishment and maintenance of
monitoring programmes
Qualité du sol — Lignes directrices pour l'établissement et l'entretien
de programmes de surveillance
Reference number
ISO 16133:2004(E)
©
ISO 2004
ISO 16133:2004(E)
PDF disclaimer
This PDF file may contain embedded typefaces. In accordance with Adobe's licensing policy, this file may be printed or viewed but
shall not be edited unless the typefaces which are embedded are licensed to and installed on the computer performing the editing. In
downloading this file, parties accept therein the responsibility of not infringing Adobe's licensing policy. The ISO Central Secretariat
accepts no liability in this area.
Adobe is a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
Details of the software products used to create this PDF file can be found in the General Info relative to the file; the PDF-creation
parameters were optimized for printing. Every care has been taken to ensure that the file is suitable for use by ISO member bodies. In
the unlikely event that a problem relating to it is found, please inform the Central Secretariat at the address given below.

©  ISO 2004
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from either ISO at the address below or
ISO's member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
Case postale 56 • CH-1211 Geneva 20
Tel. + 41 22 749 01 11
Fax + 41 22 749 09 47
E-mail copyright@iso.org
Web www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2004 – All rights reserved

ISO 16133:2004(E)
Contents Page
Foreword. iv
Introduction . v
1 Scope. 1
2 Terms and definitions. 1
3 Monitoring objectives. 3
3.1 General. 3
3.2 Examples of monitoring purposes. 4
4 Monitoring programme. 4
4.1 General considerations. 4
4.2 Elements of a monitoring programme . 5
4.2.1 Status of the monitoring sites . 5
4.2.2 Changes at the monitoring sites . 5
4.2.3 Interpretation of status and changes. 6
4.2.4 Selection of sites. 6
4.3 Sampling and measurement. 7
4.3.1 General. 7
4.3.2 Site design and identification . 7
4.3.3 Soil and site description. 7
4.3.4 Sampling. 7
4.3.5 Field and laboratory measurements . 7
4.3.6 Specimen banking. 7
4.3.7 Time interval between samplings. 8
5 Data quality and quantity . 8
Annex A (informative) Examples of monitoring programmes . 9
Bibliography . 33

iii
ISO 16133:2004(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 16133 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 190, Soil quality, Subcommittee SC 7, Soil and site
assessment.
iv
ISO 16133:2004(E)
Introduction
Monitoring is the process of repetitive observation, for defined purposes, of one or more components of the
environment according to pre-arranged schedules in space and time using comparable methods for
environmental sensing and data collection (see reference [1] in the Bibliography). Monitoring schemes are
used all over the world for a large number of purposes. Soil monitoring, particularly, is a long-term undertaking.
The quality and the utility of the information from the monitoring is to a large degree determined by the choice
of monitoring sites and by their maintenance over the years, and by appropriate quality control at all stages of
the process.
Monitoring associated with industrial (contaminated) sites can involve many specific considerations, including
legal requirements. The guidance in this International Standard is not designed or intended to cover such
situations.
v
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 16133:2004(E)

Soil quality — Guidance on the establishment and maintenance
of monitoring programmes
1 Scope
This International Standard gives general guidance on the selection of procedures for the establishment and
maintenance of programmes for long-term monitoring of soil quality. It takes into account the large number of
objectives for soil-monitoring programmes.
This International Standard is intended to help provide a basis for dialogue between parties which might be
involved in a monitoring scheme. Examples of soil-monitoring programmes from several countries are
provided in Annex A.
2 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
2.1
accumulation
increase of the concentration of a substance in soil due to substance input being larger than substance output
NOTE Adapted from ISO 11074-1:1996
2.2
anthropogenic influence
changes in soil properties caused by human activities
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
2.3
background concentration
natural pedogeochemical content
geogeneous or pedogeneous average concentration of a substance in an examined soil
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
2.4
diffuse source input
non-point source input
input of a substance emitted from moving sources, from sources with a large area or from many sources
NOTE 1 The sources can be cars, application of substances through agricultural practices, emissions from town or
region, deposition of sediment through flooding of a river.
NOTE 2 Diffuse source input usually leads to sites that are relatively uniformly contaminated. At some sites, the input
conditions may nevertheless cause a higher local input near the source or where atmospheric deposition/rain is increased.
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
ISO 16133:2004(E)
2.5
leaching
movement of dissolved substances caused by the movement of water or other liquids in the soil
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
2.6
locally contaminated site
site with discrete areas of high concentrations of substances hazardous to soil
NOTE The extent of contamination is usually small and the gradient of concentration within the site is steep.
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
2.7
monitoring
process of repetitive observation, for defined purposes, of one or more elements of the environment according
to pre-arranged schedules in space and time using comparable methods for environmental sensing and data
collection
2.8
monitoring site
area in which investigations will take place
NOTE Areas which are relatively homogeneous are usually chosen.
2.9
point-source input
input of a substance from a stationary discrete source of definite size
NOTE 1 The sources can be stack emissions, accidental spills, waste dumps, spills on industrial sites, major leaks
from sewers and other pipelines.
NOTE 2 Point-source input can cause both locally contaminated sites and relatively uniformly contaminated sites.
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
2.10
risk assessment
assessment of damaging effects of a polluted site on man and the environment with respect to their nature,
extent and probability of occurrence
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
2.11
sample
portion of material selected from a large quantity of material
[ISO 11074-2:1998]
2.12
sampling
process of drawing or constituting a sample
[ISO 3534-1:1993]
2 © ISO 2004 – All rights reserved

ISO 16133:2004(E)
NOTE For the purpose of soil investigation, “sampling” also relates to selection of locations for the purpose of in situ
testing carried out in the field without removal of material.
[ISO 11074-2:1998]
2.13
sampling point
location within the monitoring site at which physical sampling takes place
2.14
sampling procedure
operational requirements and/or instructions relating to the use of a particular sampling plan
[ISO 11074-2:1998]
2.15
soil damage
alteration of soil properties which cause negative effects on one or more soil functions, human health or
environment
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
2.16
substance input
movement of a substance from another environmental compartment into a soil
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
2.17
substance output
movement of a substance from the soil into another environmental compartment
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
2.18
uniformly contaminated site
site with a generally uniform concentration of a substance hazardous to soil
NOTE The extent of the contamination is usually large and the gradient of concentration within the site is rather
shallow.
[ISO 11074-1:1996]
3 Monitoring objectives
3.1 General
Monitoring is an important tool for the early detection of environmental impact on soil and soil processes. It
thus has a major role in the prevention or minimization of environmental damage or the detection of
environmental improvement. By the early detection of environmental impact, or the potential for such impact, a
monitoring programme could help to reduce or remove the costs of reaching or maintaining a given level of
environmental management, protection or quality.
Monitoring programmes can also be used to evaluate the outcome of environmental policies, to assist in the
development of strategies for soil protection and environment management. They can also serve as research
ISO 16133:2004(E)
platforms for the development and validation of field and analytical methods and of models of soil and related
environmental processes.
The range of purposes for which soil-monitoring programmes can be designed encompasses such a vast
range of time scales, variables and processes that it is not possible to give specific guidance on the design of
a monitoring programme to meet all the objectives which might be covered by this diversity. The selection of
sites, sampling schemes, etc. should be made from a consideration of the specific objectives of the particular
monitoring programme. This International Standard identifies the principles underlying such programmes.
3.2 Examples of monitoring purposes
The following list gives some examples of monitoring purposes:
 short-, intermediate- and long-term environmental impacts varying in magnitude, importance, duration
and probability;
 changes in chemical, biological and physical soil properties (e.g. pH, adsorption processes, toxic element
accumulation, radiation, compaction, erosion) and the dynamics of changes in such properties;
 effects of human impacts;
 differentiation of human impacts from inter-annual variability and longer-term climate change;
 differentiation of local contamination from long-range transport;
 evaluation of productivity;
 assessment of biological diversity;
 input of elements into the soil environment and output of elements from the soil environment;
 transport processes in the soil profile (gases; particles; elements or compounds in solution);
 calculations of elements uptake and retention by particular components of the ecosystem.
4 Monitoring programme
4.1 General considerations
It is generally not feasible to monitor all variables at all locations. Wherever possible, consideration should be
given to the monitoring of soil properties which, as well as being of specific interest themselves, might also act
as a surrogate for some property or process which is otherwise difficult, time consuming or expensive to
measure directly. For example, soil pH and clay content (a potential surrogate for soil hydrological behaviour)
might act as factors for ranking pollutant mobility. It will be important to establish what long-term records
already exist at a site before identifying additional variables for monitoring and what degree of continuity of
measurement is required into the future. The close reciprocal benefits of monitoring and research on specific
scientific questions should be considered.
The final series of potential monitoring options should be ranked according to their value (scientific relevance;
sensitivity to impacts; value as an index for changes in many other environmental variables that are not
measured) and feasibility (financial, logistic, analytical, ease of interpretation). This prioritization should also
be revised and updated at regular intervals. The costs of appropriate storage of samples and long-term quality
assurance, e.g. cross-checking when improvements in analytical techniques are made, should not be
underestimated.
4 © ISO 2004 – All rights reserved

ISO 16133:2004(E)
Identification of habitat types is a key element of the monitoring plan, and is also a logical starting point for the
development of an environmental monitoring strategy. It is also necessary to consider the number of sites that
might be required to give appropriate spatial and temporal cover for the monitoring, and whether the site
density is appropriate for all variables. It is usually impractical to establish sites that cover all combinations of
soil and habitat. Consideration needs to be given, for example, to combinations that are most common or
most sensitive to a given impact. It should be remembered that other research, into e.g. water quality or
biodiversity, might be possible on the same site, thus adding to its value.
Some other factors that have to be considered are the following:
 partners and organizations involved, and an assessment of their objectives and long-term commitment;
 existing guides and protocols, and the degree to which they satisfy the objectives of the programme;
 ownership of sites, and likely long-term commitment of the site or sites to a monitoring programme;
 availability of sites;
 effects of future changes in land use (if this is an important factor), or the landscape in the vicinity of the
site(s) since changes might affect the usefulness of the site in the long term;
 the funding of the programme, and its long-term security;
 quality assurance, including documentation (see below);
 data management, accessibility of the data, intellectual property and issues of confidentiality and rights to
publish.
It is very strongly recommended that all parties to a long-term monitoring programme agree to the objectives,
funding, mutual responsibilities and other relevant issues before a monitoring programme begins, and that
they enter into a formal agreement which defines each party's role in the programme, including financial and
legal constraints.
4.2 Elements of a monitoring programme
4.2.1 Status of the monitoring sites
The history of all sites, which might be considered, should be documented. This is an essential part of any
assessment of representativeness, and ensures that the chances of the unexpected, which might jeopardize
the usefulness of the site, are minimized. Such assessment can involve the characterizing of present-day soil
properties at representative sites. Issues such as ownership, access, etc. (see 4.1) can usually be resolved at
this stage. Information about other monitoring programmes forms part of this preliminary investigation.
4.2.2 Changes at the monitoring sites
The purpose of measuring change in soil properties should be clear from the start. It may also be useful to
invert the question and ask what changes could be measured using such a particular site or programme
design, even if all the properties might not be required at the start. Sites which allow expansion of activity for
future needs can have advantages over more limited sites. It might be that one purpose of the programme is
to establish changes in soil properties (e.g. pH, humus content, levels of toxic substances, water permeability,
microbiological activity) and the dynamics of changes in such properties over shorter rather than longer time
scales. This has large implications for the amount of soil sampling, and thus site disturbance, which the site
might have to accommodate without having its functions seriously affected. The possibility of investigating
other environmental compartments can make one site a more attractive proposition than another, especially if
it interests a larger group of researchers, funders, etc.
ISO 16133:2004(E)
4.2.3 Interpretation of status and changes
The data on status and changes may be used to interpret the following:
 reference/background properties;
 degradation/improvement of one or more soil characteristics and functions (and the effect of this on other
soil or site properties);
 short-term and long-term environmental impact and bioavailability of extraneous inputs, applied wastes,
atmospheric or water-borne substances or off-site management;
 ecological functions of soils;
 productivity functions of soils;
 influence on other environmental compartments, or of these on the soils at the site.
4.2.4 Selection of sites
The sites should be selected so that they are suitable for the objectives of the programme with respect to
geology, soil type, vegetation and land use, topography, climate and ecological habitat. Other important
criteria are anthropogenic impact and natural background conditions (e.g. trace element levels, acidity, salinity,
buffer capacity).
The choice of geographical distribution of monitoring sites is often influenced by the degree of pre-existing
knowledge of the landscape or soil pattern. Where relatively little is known, statistical approaches are often the
most appropriate, although this can imply considerable preliminary investigation to establish the variability of
the area in question. In general, there are four main choices in the selection of geographical distribution. They
are listed below without priority.
 Regular grid. The sites are selected using a regular grid. In order to provide representative data, this
approach generally requires a large number of sites. The interval between the grid points is very
dependent on the size of the area of interest, as well as the degree of change being measured in the
property. The smaller the change to be measured in a property, the larger the number of sites required in
a given area.
 Statistical approach. The sites are selected by using (geo)statistically produced patterns, designed to
minimize the required number of sites. However, this implies considerable preliminary investigation, as
geostatistical investigations have, as their central aim, the establishment of a reliable variogram for a
given property. If the different properties have different degrees of spatial dependence, as they often do in
soils, then the number of sites needed to establish this can be as large as that for the regular grid.
 Hypothesis-oriented approach. The monitoring options are evaluated on the basis of their ability to
detect and quantify impacts hypothesized to result from specific human activities. The sensitivity, spatial
extent and frequency of monitoring have to be appropriate to detect the hypothesized impacts. This can
also involve considerable preliminary investigation.
 Typological approach. This is based on a stratification of soils according to land use and/or soil type, or
soil horizon, on soil parent material, or soil extent, or distance from potential contamination sources, etc.
In order to make efficient use of available resources, it is always important to consider the possibilities to
integrate the sites with other monitoring programmes. Examples of selection of monitoring sites are given in
Annex A. Both synergistic and disturbing effects (e.g. caused by sampling activities or experimental
treatments) should be considered if sites are to be used for different monitoring programmes.
6 © ISO 2004 – All rights reserved

ISO 16133:2004(E)
4.3 Sampling and measurement
4.3.1 General
A sampling and measurement plan is an important part of a monitoring programme. Such a plan should
include procedures in the following areas.
4.3.2 Site design and identification
The chosen site(s) should allow the range of measurements appropriate for the objectives of the soil-
monitoring programme, and any other monitoring activities which add value to this programme. The layout of
the site should allow repeated representative sampling, without compromising the overall functioning of the
site or the soils within it. The site should be protected from unwanted external disturbances.
The choice of sampling points within the monitoring site depends on several factors. The sampling point might
have to allow for the digging of soil-profile pits, the installation of soil instruments, repeated sampling by
augers, possibly the introduction of designed experiments, e.g. to test the effect of different cropping regimes
on the properties monitored, and so on. These factors shall be estimated at the preliminary stage, and the site
design modified to include them. If none of these larger factors needs to be allowed for, the sampling point
may be located at the centroid of the monitoring site.
4.3.3 Soil and site description
Soil and site description should be performed in accordance with ISO 15903 and ISO 11259.
4.3.4 Sampling
Sampling includes for example the sampling strategy, sampling techniques, labelling, transport and storage.
Whenever possible International Standards should be used, see Bibliography. Careful thought should be
given to sampling schemes so as to cause minimum disturbance to the site and its properties. Some
examples covering the principles of the design and implementation of soil monitoring programmes are given in
Annex A.
4.3.5 Field and laboratory measurements
Field and laboratory measurements should be selected according to the objectives.
It is strongly recommended that the following minimum data set of chemical and physical parameters be
included, as many of these underpin the interpretation of soil data in the wider context: pH, organic carbon
content, cation exchange capacity, electrical conductivity, dry matter content, particle size distribution and bulk
density. There is no recommended minimum data set for biological parameters, as the choice depends on the
objectives. Standardized methods should be used wherever possible.
The relevant International Standards for the recommended minimum data set are given in the Bibliography.
Examples of selection of parameters in relation to the purpose of the monitoring objectives are given in
Annex A.
4.3.6 Specimen banking
A specified portion of each sample should be stored for future needs as appropriate. Sufficient sample should
be taken so as to allow re-analysis of many of the properties for an extended period into the future. A
specimen bank also makes it possible to include new forms of analysis in the monitoring programme at a later
date.
It should be considered at the outset whether special storage conditions, e.g. temperature or humidity, have to
be maintained in order to guarantee that important parameters will remain stable over time. In some cases
ISO 16133:2004(E)
samples should be stored frozen, rather than dried. If determinations of some parameters have to be
postponed, for financial or other reasons, and long-time parameter stability cannot be guaranteed, efforts
should be made to determine these parameters at the earliest possible occasion.
Contamination from sample containers should be minimized by careful choice of storage media.
The costs of specimen banking over many years can be considerable. The amount of space required to store
samples in the long term can be considerable if many samples are involved, whether they are from separate
sites, or numerous locations within one site, or both.
4.3.7 Time interval between samplings
The planned time interval depends on the objectives and parameters (e.g. spatial variability, dynamics, and
expected changes). It should be taken into account that time intervals may have to be changed because of
unexpected events, and almost certainly will differ with different variables.
5 Data quality and quantity
The quality of the data obtained can be assured by
 proper training of all staff, not only of those involved at the start of the project, but also of those who
replace them over time. It is strongly recommended to keep a record of the training given,
 setting formal data quality objectives (e.g. for accuracy, reproducibility, etc.),
 using sampling procedures based on guidance in International Standards,
 using standardized analytical and test methods such as those listed in the Bibliography or, where
International Standard methods are not available, those published by national standardization
organizations or official bodies,
[32]
 using laboratories which apply methods accredited under ISO 17025 ,
 using laboratories that take part in relevant proficiency testing schemes,
 using commissioning agents who employ their own quality assurance procedures,
 adherence to agreed protocols,
 the keeping of proper records at all stages of the monitoring programme, ensuring that these records
remain readable and unambiguous, and keeping such records in an accessible place.
As monitoring is a long-term undertaking, it may be impossible to avoid changes in methodology and/or use of
different laboratories. It is very important to keep a record of such changes and to calculate the correlation
between parameter values before and after the changes. For coding of data, a codification key should be
defined. Comparability of these data with international systems of soil information should be considered.
The amount of data generated from monitoring programmes may be considerable. It is strongly recommended
to estimate the quantity of data at the outset, and to make an appropriate plan for data storage. If not well
planned, this can present a formidable logistical problem when sampling programmes run for decades.
Commonly used database systems should be employed. It is good practice to appoint a person or a unit in the
organization to be responsible for the security of the database and for handling back-up procedures.
8 © ISO 2004 – All rights reserved

ISO 16133:2004(E)
Annex A
(informative)
Examples of monitoring programmes
A.1 Introduction
This annex contains short presentations, in tabular form, of different regional and national monitoring
programmes. The examples provide the reader with a general understanding of the objectives of the
programmes and how they have been set up to reach the objectives.
A.2 Examples
A.2.1 The agricultural environmental monitoring programme in Norway (JOVA)
Title The agricultural environmental monitoring programme in Norway (JOVA)
Level National
Area of activity Soil erosion, nutrient loss, pesticides and heavy metals.
Context The Norwegian Ministry of Agriculture initiated the programme in cooperation with the
Ministry of Environment in 1992. It is a nationwide programme. Initially it focussed on
monitoring of erosion and nutrient losses from agricultural soils, but in 1995 the
programme was extended to include pesticides and heavy metals.
The programme is based on monitoring of small agricultural catchments, representing
major cropping systems under varying soil and climatic conditions.
Monitoring objectives The primary objectives of the programme are
 to give the public administration in Norway a basis for implementing a cost-
effective environmental policy,
 to document the result of environmental efforts within agriculture as compared to
the Ministerial Convention of the North Sea,
 to inform the agricultural sector about the environmental impact of agricultural
practices and the result of environmental efforts.
Number of sites In the year 2000 the programme covered 13 catchments in different parts of Norway.
The first two were established in 1985, the rest in 1990 or later.
Catchment size varies between 65 and 2 000 ha, with 35 % to 60 % of the main land
use being agriculture. Livestock density varies, and up to 54 % of a catchment area
may be forested.
Criteria for site Sites for monitoring nutrients and erosion are chosen to represent different soils,
selection agricultural practices and climates in Norway. Priority is given to sites with as few
point-sources as possible. Agriculture is aimed to be the dominant source of pollution.
The sites for pesticide analysis are chosen from areas with high frequency of
pesticide use.
ISO 16133:2004(E)
Sampling plan Soil and nutrient losses, pesticides and heavy metals are measured at catchment
monitoring stations. Eleven monitoring stations continuously record water discharge,
and volume-proportional water samples are collected automatically. These monitoring
stations are directly linked to the main office, enabling automatic data retrieval. The
two remaining monitoring stations sample point samples only for pesticide analysis.
Field observations Soil types in the catchments are mapped according to a standardized method and
classified according to the Canadian System of Soil Classification (CSSC) and the
World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB).
Continuous discharge measurements are carried out using a V-notch or a Crump weir
in combination with a Campbell data logger. Water samples are taken on a volume-
proportional basis. The average yearly temperature, and for some stations
precipitation, is measured.
Although the catchments are usually less than 700 ha in size, additional
measurements for two catchments are carried out for a field in connection to the main
catchment. This enables researchers to obtain information about retention and
transformation processes in agricultural areas.
Farm practices, such as soil tillage, fertilizer and manure application, crop type and
crop yields, are recorded annually in each catchment. This is of particular importance,
as one of the main goals of the programme is to relate losses of plant nutrients to
catchment characteristics and changes in agricultural practices.
Laboratory Soil samples from 7 to 15 randomly selected fields in 6 of the catchments were
measurements analysed for texture, P-AL, total nitrogen, and ignition loss. For these fields, mineral
nitrogen is analysed twice a year.
Water samples are regularly analysed for content of total nitrogen, nitrate, total
phosphorus, phosphate, suspended solids and pH.
Analyses of pH, suspended solids and total phosphorus are carried out using
Norwegian standard methods, while de facto standards based on international
methods are used for the analysis of phosphate-phosphorus, nitrate-nitrogen and
total nitrogen.
Soil archive Results from the programme are stored in a database at Jordforsk.
Soil and water samples are not stored.
Contact address Jordforsk — the Norwegian Centre for Soil and Environmental Research
Frederik A. Dahls vei 20
N-1432 Aas
Norway
http://www.jordforsk.no/jovabase/frame.htm

10 © ISO 2004 – All rights reserved

ISO 16133:2004(E)
A.2.2 Environmental Change Network (United Kingdom)
Title Environmental Change Network
Level UK
Area of activity Soil
Context The UK decided at the beginning of the 1990s that a programme was needed to
assess the long-term change in soil properties at the national scale. This resulted in
the establishment of the Environmental Change Network (ECN)
Monitoring objectives The objectives of the network are
 to establish and maintain a selected set of sites within the UK from which to
obtain comparable long-term data sets by means of measurements at regular
intervals of variables identified as being of major environmental importance,
 to provide for the integration and analysis of these data sets, so as to identify
environmental changes, and to improve understanding of the causes of change,
 to make these long-term data sets available as a basis for research and
prediction,
 to provide, for research purposes, a range of representative sites where there is
good instrumentation and reliable environmental information.
Number of sites 13
Criteria for site The sites were chosen at experimental stations largely under the control of
selection governmental and quasi-governmental organizations, in order to ensure that long-
term continuity of measurement was likely to remain possible. The sites are
representative of a wide range of soil types and habitats, from mountain bog to
lowland agriculture.
Sampling plan The sites are first surveyed to establish the homogeneity of the site with respect to
soil type, and an area of 300 m × 300 m with least variation is selected. Within that
area, a 1 ha plot is laid out for the soil-monitoring activity. This area is divided into
numbered cells according to a strict protocol. Five-yearly sampling is carried out in
each of 16 numbered 5 m × 5 m cells in each of six blocks. Each 5 m × 5 m cell is
subdivided into 25 numbered subcells of 1 m × 1 m. On each sampling occasion, only
one subcell is randomly selected from each 5 m × 5 m cell, giving a total of
16 sampling sites for each block at each five-yearly sampling. At the next five-yearly
sub-sampling, a different set of 1 m × 1 m sub-cells is used. Two sets of soil samples
will be taken to a maximum depth of 30 cm from each sampled sub-cell. One set is
based on depths 0 cm to 5 cm, 5 cm to 10 cm, 10 cm to 20 cm, and 20 cm to 30 cm.
The other set corresponds to horizons within the top 30 cm. Twenty-year samples are
taken from soil profiles. These require excavation of the ground to expose a vertical
section of soil suitable for description, and will be from six pits, each located in a
5 m × 5 m cell chosen at random from each block. Samples are collected from each
soil horizon recognized in the description to about 1 m depth (or less if rock is
encountered) and by standard depths of 0 cm to 5 cm, 5 cm to 10 cm, 10 cm to
20 cm, 20 cm to 40 cm, 40 cm to 60 cm, 60 cm to 80 cm, 80 cm to 100 cm, and
100 cm to 120 cm. In addition, triplicate core samples are taken from each horizon for
the measurement of soil water release characteristics and bulk density.
Field observations The soils are characterized at each ECN site and for each of the target sampling
areas of 1 ha. A soil survey map is produced. Each soil-profile pit is described
according to UK national schemes.
ISO 16133:2004(E)
Laboratory These are as follows:
measurements
Each bulked horizon and depth band sample from the five-yearly core samples and
each horizon and depth band from the 20-yearly profile samples is analysed for
 moisture on soil < 2 mm oven-dried overnight at 105 °C,
 pH on field-moist and air-dry samples, on 1:2,5 extracts in water and 0,01 mol/l
calcium chloride,
 exchangeable acid
...