Assessment of biosolids in earthworm choice tests with different species and soils

Abstract

Earthworm avoidance response is a new tool for rapid and efficient screening of potentially toxic substances added to soil environments. This technique was used to determine if five common, ecologically different earthworm species (Allolobophora chlorotica, Aporrectodea longa, Aporrectodea caliginosa, Eisenia fetida and Lumbricus terrestris) avoid soils amended with six biosolids (treated sewage sludge) applied at rates equivalent to realistic field rates of 0, 2, 5, 10 and 20 t ha ). The other species did not show any preferences. An additional treatment comparing the behaviour of E. fetida in natural and artificial soil suggested that the type of soil can alter the preference of earthworms. Comparisons of behavioural and actual toxicity data for the same six biosolids suggest that avoidance responses by earthworms are sensitive enough to reflect different toxicities of biosolids. It is concluded that earthworm avoidance behaviour offers an ecologically relevant tool for screening the deleterious rate-effect of biosolid amended soils.