Nematodentest

For the assessment of contaminated and remediated soils and substrates, and the estimation of chronic toxicity of soil contaminations, an ecotoxicological test was developed using the terrestrial nematodePanagrellus redivivus. The population dynamics expressed by the reproduction factor (VF) allows an estimation of soil quality within seven days. Due to the rapid generation time ofPanagrellus (< 5 d), the short test duration is considered to be sufficient. The suitability of this test duration is considered to be sufficient. The suitability of this test was evaluated by investigating soils which had been contaminated using applications of specific pollutants (lindane and PCB 52).