Abstract
The burrowing oligochaete Lumbriculus variegatus (Muller) was evaluated as a test organism for sediment bioassessment. As part of a battery of assays, the survival, growth, reproduction and burrowing behaviour of Lumbriculus in sediments from several areas of the North American Great Lakes were examined. Although not abundant, this species can be found in oligotrophic and mesotrophic environments. They are readily cultured and can be commercially purchased. Chronic tests indicated that Lumbriculus was as sensitive to contaminated sediments as Hyalella azteca, but less sensitive than the Holarctic amphipod Pontoporeia (Diporeia) hoyi. The growth of individuals or their reproduction by cloning can be measured after a two-week exposure at 20 °C.
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© 1992 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
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Dermott, R., Munawar, M. (1992). A simple and sensitive assay for evaluation of sediment toxicity using Lumbriculus variegatus (Müller). In: Hart, B.T., Sly, P.G. (eds) Sediment/Water Interactions. Developments in Hydrobiology, vol 75. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-2783-7_35
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-2783-7_35
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