Physiological basis in the assessment of ecotoxicity of pesticides to soil organisms.

Earthworms are universally accepted as one of the most suitable and representative soil animals to be used for assessing chemical pollution in soils. Therefore, in this work earthworm species diverse in habitat and life-pattern are used and the effects of sublethal concentrations of terbuthylazine and carbofuran on the reproductive processes, respiration and excretion are investigated. The results show that even low and moderate concentrations of the pesticides can induce measurable physiological effects. Species-specific and substance-specific effects are noticeable in the worms.