ISO 11348-1:2007/Amd 1:2018

Overview

ISO 11348-1:2007/Amd 1:2018 is an important amendment to the international standard focusing on water quality assessment through biological methods. This standard specifically addresses the determination of the inhibitory effect of water samples on the light emission of Vibrio fischeri, a luminescent bacterium. Known as the Luminescent bacteria test, this method is vital for detecting toxic substances in water by measuring changes in bacterial bioluminescence.

This amendment updates the original 2007 standard by refining references and performance criteria to enhance the accuracy and reliability of the test. It is published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) under the auspices of ISO Technical Committee ISO/TC 147 on Water Quality, Subcommittee SC 5 which specializes in biological methods.

Key Topics

• Test principle: Measures the decrease in light emission of freshly prepared Vibrio fischeri bacteria when exposed to water samples containing toxic substances.
• Assessment of toxicity: Enables quantification of the inhibitory effect caused by pollutants, providing valuable ecological risk data.
• Updated references: Incorporates the revised turbidity measurement method ISO 7027-1 for accurate water clarity assessment.
• Precision criteria: Defines limits for deviations in test sample dilutions, maintaining a strict maximum of 3 percent points deviation in light inhibition differences.
• Biological method standardization: Establishes a globally recognized procedure ensuring repeatability and comparability of luminous bacteria test results in laboratories worldwide.
• Amendment focus: Modifications primarily relate to methodological references and test data quality thresholds for improved testing consistency.

Applications

ISO 11348-1:2007/Amd 1:2018 is widely applied in:

• Environmental monitoring - Rapid screening of surface waters, wastewater effluents, and groundwater for toxic contamination.
• Industrial discharge testing - Evaluation of effluents to comply with regulatory discharge standards and to mitigate environmental impact.
• Water treatment validation - Testing the effectiveness of water purification technologies in removing toxic compounds.
• Ecotoxicology research - Investigations into the biological effects of various chemical pollutants as part of environmental risk assessments.
• Regulatory compliance - Adoption by governmental and environmental agencies to enforce water quality criteria and protect ecosystems.
• Quality control in laboratories - Standardized luminescent bacteria testing enhances data reliability for commercial or research water quality laboratories.

Related Standards

This amendment references and aligns with other relevant ISO standards, including:

• ISO 7027-1:2016 - Water quality - Determination of turbidity, Part 1: Quantitative methods; important for assessing water sample clarity prior to luminescence testing.
• ISO 11348 series - This amendment is part of the broader series covering luminescent bacteria tests with different bacteria preparation methods.
• ISO/IEC Directives Part 1 and Part 2 - Governing principles and editorial rules underlying the development and maintenance of ISO standards.
• ISO 14000 series - Environmental management standards that complement biological water testing by providing frameworks for pollution control and sustainability.

By using ISO 11348-1:2007/Amd 1:2018, laboratories and regulatory bodies gain a robust and standardized method to detect water toxicity quickly and accurately with biological indicators. This contributes significantly to protecting water resources, ensuring safe ecosystems, and supporting international water quality management efforts.