A Subsystem Microcosm Verification of the Microcosm N-System

Abstract

Various impact assessments are enabled using the microcosm N-system as described in the previous chapters, and the consistency of the microcosm with the natural ecosystem was demonstrated experimentally. However, analysis of the structural parameter (abundance) becomes particularly complicated in comparison with the single-species test prescribed by the OECD. Therefore, a microcosm subsystem was constructed, which combines one species each of microorganisms as a producer, consumer, and decomposer. Together, these were investigated for the possibility of using this subsystem for impact assessment (i.e., it was inspected with respect to its superiority relative to the N-system).