Earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris)
As an organism living at ground level, it is a major driver of the decomposition of organic material (e.g. plant litter).
Earthworms as organisms living in the soil, are involved in various ways in the complex processes of soil formation, and as saprophytes, they occupy the central position in decomposing organic material and the energy combined with (destruction).
Their intensive involvement in the nutrient cycles highly exposes the earthworms towards all substances existing in an ecosystem. As a consequence, if toxic substances are present, a large hazard potential exists for the food chains based on earthworms.
They also play a central role in the ecosystem food chain and energy cycle, causing an outstanding exposure to hazardous substances.
Guideline for Sampling and Sample Treatment Earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris, Aporrectodea longa)
Recommended analysis examples
Target organs/Matrices
| Whole body without faeces |
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Sampling area
| Saarländischer Verdichtungsraum | Important, old-industrialised conurbation in Germany. |
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| Dübener Heide | Region in the chemical triangle of Central Germany. |
| Solling | Second highest and largest low mountain range in Northern Germany |
| Oberbayerisches Tertiärhügelland | The Upper Bavarian Tertiary Uplands are a part of the Southern German Molasse Basin. |
Analytes
| Metals | Eighty percent of all elements on earth are metals |
|---|---|
| Nonmetals | Only eighteen elements in the periodic table |
| Chlorohydrocarbons | Group of organic compounds with at least one covalently bonded chlorine atom |
| Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons | Group of organic compounds with at least three condensed six-membered rings |
| Supplementary parameters | Additional information for the interpretation of contamination data |
Sampling period
1994 - 2011