title: Avoidance tests with earthworms and springtails: defining the minimum exposure time to observe a significant response.
abstract: Based on the ability of organisms to avoid contaminated soils, avoidance tests have a great potential as early screening tools in lower tier levels of ERA schemes. Aiming at their standardization, the definition of the minimum exposure time necessary to observe an avoidance response to a contaminant is needed. To fill this gap, avoidance tests with earthworms (Eisenia andrei) and springtails (Folsomia candida), comparing distinct time periods (from 1-7 to 1-14 days, respectively), were performed using the artificial OECD soil and reference chemicals for each test organism. Results showed that for both organisms a clear response within 24 h of exposure can be obtained. This rapid response enhances the utility of the test for "on site" analysis to evaluate contaminated sites.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, IMAR-Coimbra Interdisciplinary Centre, University of Coimbra, Largo Marquês de Pombal, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Tiago
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Natal-da-Luz
authors.forename: Mónica J B
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Amorim
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Römbke
authors.forename: José Paulo
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Sousa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D001542:Benomyl / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity; D001681:Biological Assay; D002219:Carbamates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007313:Insecta / Q000187:drug effects*; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000187:drug effects*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001562:Benzimidazoles; D002219:Carbamates; D012989:Soil Pollutants; C006698:carbendazim; D001542:Benomyl