PARENT SESSION

2K - Sediment Assays
Poster Hall
8:30 AM - Tuesday, 29 April 2003

(TUP/144) Experiences of the use of Lumbriculus varigaetus in Regulatory Ecotoxicity Testing.

Handley, John¹, Sewell, Ian¹, ¹ Safepharm Laboratories Ltd, Derby, Derbyshire, UK

ABSTRACT- Sediment toxicity tests are required to be conducted on industrial chemicals, at higher tonnage triggers, that have shown an affinity for sediment binding. The use of Lumbriculus varigaetus has been requested by EU competent authorities even though it is not a recognised OECD test method. Current recommendations are to follow published methodology for the use of this species to study bioaccumulation in natural sediments but modified to use an artificial sediment and to monitor growth and reproduction as endpoints. This poster describes the need to modify the currently recommended artificial sediment and presents data to show why reproduction should not be measured as an endpoint with this species.

Key words: Sediment Toxicity Test, Lumbriculus varigaetus