engleski

Important issues in ecotoxicological investigations using earthworms

Earthworms beneficially affect the soil structure and quality and consequently play a significant role in the functioning of the soil ecosystems. Also, earthworms are important model organisms in soil ecotoxicological investigations. They have been used as model organisms for assessment of adverse effects of various pollutants. However, some important issues regarding the effects of pollutants on earthworms require attention and further in- depth investigation. This review gives emphasize on several issues in earthworm ecotoxicology that are of essential importance for soil ecotoxicological investigations and risk assessment but are poorly explored and understood to date. Precisely, the importance of assessment of following issues in earthworm ecotoxicology is discussed – the linkage of responses at different levels of biological complexity, the assessment of the effects of pollutant mixtures, the occurrence and detection of the hormetic effect, the necessity of inclusion of microcosmic systems in ecotoxicological investigations and the possible effects of exposure temperature on the strength of toxic effects of pollutants. By addressing these issues it will be possible to gain a more in-depth understanding of the effects of pollutants on earthworms and soil ecosystem, as well as to improve the assessment of environmental risks of soil pollutants.

ecotoxicology; earthworms; soil ecosystems; risk assessment; biomarker responses; toxic effects; pollutants; pollutant mixtures; hormesis; microcosmic systems; experimental conditions; temperature change

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