Earthworms as Ecotoxicological Assessment Tools

摘要

Increased interest for earthworm research and the need for soil assessment methods has encouraged the use of earthworms as assessment organisms. Earthworms exhibit many advantages for use in assessing the impact of toxic and hazardous materials on soil systems. Earthworms are known to accumulate heavy metals, pesticides and other organic chemicals supporting their importance as a model for assessing the general impact to the soil community. Laboratory studies have shown impacts on individual growth and reproduction by metals and organic chemicals. Laboratory and field research to date strongly support the utility of earthworms for making assessments of ecological impacts associated with toxic agents.