Comparison of sublethal and lethal criteria for nine different chemicals in standardized toxicity tests using the earthworm Eisenia andrei

Journal Article · Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1992 · Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0147-6513(92)90059-C· OSTI ID:5320613

Van Gestel, C A; Dirven-Van Breemen, E M; Baerselman, R; Emans, H J; Janssen, J A; Postuma, R; Van Vliet, P J ^[1]

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1. National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Protection, Bilthoven, (Netherlands)

In this study, the effects of nine different chemicals on the survival, growth, and reproduction of the earthworm species Eisenia andrei were determined using a recently developed method. Earthworms were exposed for 3 weeks to the test chemicals in an artificial soil substrate. Additional data on the acute toxicity of these chemicals were derived from the literature. For some chemicals, cocoon production was the most sensitive parameter (cadmium, chromium, paraquat, fentin, benomyl, phenmedipham), while for others cocoon hatchability was most sensitive (pentachlorophenol, parathion, carbendazim). In the case of parathion, growth of the worms seemed to be even more sensitive than reproduction. As an overall parameter for the effect on earthworm reproduction, the total number of juveniles produced per worm appeared to be a useful parameter. Differences between (acute) LC50 values and the lowest NOEC value for effects on growth and reproduction were different for each chemical. Difference was greatest for cadmium (a factor of greater than 100) and smallest for fentin, benomyl, and pentachlorophenol (a factor of 5-6).

• OSTI ID: 5320613
• Journal Information: Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety; (United States), Vol. 23:2; ISSN 0147-6513
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANNELIDS
SENSITIVITY
CADMIUM
TOXICITY
CHROMIUM
PESTICIDES
ANIMAL GROWTH
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
REPRODUCTION
SOILS
ANIMALS
ELEMENTS
EVALUATION
GROWTH
INVERTEBRATES
METALS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology