Reproduction Test with Earthworms

Test organism

• Compost worm: Eisenia fetida

Test principle

• The test analyses the effect of contaminants on the reproduction rate of earthworms (Eisenia fetida) after 8-week exposure in naturally polluted soil against artificial or natural soil dosed with a known amount of contaminant.
• Other endpoints such as the survival and growth of the adult worms can be measured after 4-week exposure.

Analysed parameters

• Number of produced young
• Survival and growth of adult worms

Test duration

• 8 weeks (reproduction)
• 4 weeks (survival and growth of adult worms)

Relevance

• Determine the toxicity of individual substances or substance mixtures in natural soils
• Chronic toxicity test allowing the long-term analysis of the ecotoxicological risk
• Earthworms are often used in toxicity tests and are relevant to risk assessment in the soil