New Earthworm Test Could Revolutionize Environmental Impact Assessments!
The article discusses a test method for studying how earthworms reproduce when exposed to different chemicals. Researchers need to know certain properties of the chemicals, like how soluble they are in water, to design the test correctly. The method can be used for all chemicals, except those that are too volatile or have high vapor pressure. For some chemicals, analytical measurements of exposure levels may be needed during the test. Using a reference substance like carbendazim or benomyl helps ensure the test conditions are suitable. The reference substance should show significant effects on reproduction at specific concentrations. If a toxic standard is included in the test, it should be tested at the same concentration as the controls.