Avoidance Test with Earthworms
- Compost worm: Eisenia fetida
Test principle
- The test analyses the effect of contaminants on the avoidance behaviour of earthworms (Eisenia fetida) after 2-day exposure in naturally polluted soil against natural or artificial soil dosed with known contaminant concentrations.
Analysed parameters
- Avoidance behaviour
Test duration
- 2 days
Relevance
- Short test duration
- Test sensitivity: avoidance reactions in sublethal concentrations
- Reflects bioavailability of contaminants in the soil
- Allows assessment of the soil regarding its habitat function