Earthworm (Aporrectodea longa)
As an organism living at ground level, it is a major driver of the decomposition of organic material (e.g. plant litter).
Earthworms as organisms living in the soil, are involved in various ways in the complex processes of soil formation, and as saprophytes, they occupy the central position in decomposing organic material and the energy combined with (destruction).
Their intensive involvement in the nutrient cycles highly exposes the earthworms towards all substances existing in an ecosystem. As a consequence, if toxic substances are present, a large hazard potential exists for the food chains based on earthworms.
They also play a central role in the ecosystem food chain and energy cycle, causing an outstanding exposure to hazardous substances.
For more information about the specimen, the sampling and the processing of samples see the Guideline for Sampling and Sample Processing Earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris, Aporrectodea longa).
Recommended analysis examples
Whole body without faeces
Eighty percent of all elements on earth are metals
Only eighteen elements in the periodic table
Group of organic compounds with at least one covalently bonded chlorine atom
Toxic and persistent organochloropesticide
Group of organic compounds with at least three condensed six-membered rings
Organic compounds which are fully (per-) or partially (poly-) fluorinated
Atoms of one element with different weights
Flame retardants reduce the flammability of objects
Additional information for the interpretation of contamination data
1990 - 2019