Comparison of Three Earthworm Bioassay Procedures for the Assessment of Environmental Samples Containing Hazardous Wastes

摘要

Three different laboratory earthworm protocols for assessing the potential toxicity of environmental samples were evaluated using Eisenia fetida. The 48-h Contact Test (CT) is a short test and may indicate the presence of water-soluble chemicals. The 14-day Soil Test (ST) is best suited to assess chemical impacts of either known or unknown chemicals in soils. The Giant Axon Conduction Velocity protocol (GACVT) used with either the CT or the ST can detect sublethal neurotoxic effects in shorter periods of time and at lower chemical concentrations than mortality tests. The use of these tests is suggested as an estimate of potential toxicity of environmental soil samples. (Copyright (c) Springer Verlag. 1985.)