CO2 production in three earthworm species exposed to terbuthylazine and carbofuran in food.

Studies were conducted in the laboratory to determine the influence of sublethal doses of pesticides on the respiration of earthworms. Three different lumbricids were exposed to different concentrations of terbuthylazine and carbofuran for up to 12 weeks by allowing them to feed on contaminated plant material. After different exposure periods the CO2 output of the worms was determined by gas chromatography. High terbuthylazine concentrations generally increased CO2 production, whereas the low concentration tended to decrease it, especially in two of the three species studied. Low carbofuran concentration increased the CO2 expired in all the species; the high dose negatively affected the respiration in Lumbricus terrestris and L. rubellus after 3 weeks and in Eisenia andrei after 4 weeks of exposure.