The characterization of contaminated soils is based on heterogeneous strate
gies considering chemical analyses or bioassays, In the report Bioassays fo
r soils, test methods which are at an advanced state of development and sta
ndardization are recommended by the German DECHEMA (German Society for Chem
ical Apparatus, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology e.V.). Following thi
s report six soil samples contaminated with different organic and inorganic
substances are applied to bioassays using the following organisms: Scenede
smus subspicatus, Daphnia magna, Vibrio fischeri, Pseudomonas putida. Addit
ionally, they are chemically analyzed. The test results demonstrate that to
xic contaminants are present and bioavailable in water elutriates from two
soils, indicating the necessity of bioassays and chemical analyses to predi
ct potential risks from contaminated soils. Furthermore it is demonstrated
that the described qualitative approach for the assessment of test results
is not sufficient to quantify the risk potential of contaminated soils. (C)
2000 Academic Press.