Avoidance Test Using Earthworms (Eisenia fetida) for Contaminated Sites Evaluation: Preliminary Results for Hydrocarbon Contamination
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5132/jbse.2006.02.009Keywords:
terrestrial ecotoxicology, earthworm, Eisenia fetida, contaminated sites, hydrocarbonsAbstract
Problems related to contaminated sites are increasing in Brazil. These sites can be represented by gas station, waste disposal areas, abandoned industrial facilities, etc. and in general are located in the neighborhood of important ecosystems, being cause of negative impacts. Evaluation of contaminated sites in Brazil has been done using only chemical parameters, without ecotoxicological studies. The aim of this study was initiate preliminary tests according to the draft of ISO that describes an avoidance test used to assess soil quality and toxicity from chemical to Eisenia fetida (earthworm). This test can be applied as a rapid screening test to determinate the bioavailability of chemicals or contaminants in soil to E. fetida, where the avoidance behaviour is used as indicator. In accordance to the results, it can be decided if reproduction test with the same species must be performed. Samples from contaminated sites with different hydrocarbons concentrations collected from a bus garage, a gas station and a contaminated oil spilling area were analysed. The results of the sample from the bus station showed that 96% of the organisms escaped from the contaminated sample section to the control soil section. This indicates that the sample can be considered toxic, presenting the habitat function limited. The toxicity of this sample was confirmed later by mortality and reproduction tests. The preliminary results indicated that avoidance test was a rapid indicator of sample toxicity and can be applied as a complement to evaluate hydrocarbons contaminated sites.
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