Earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris)
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
Target organs/Matrices
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Whole body without faeces
Sampling area
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Important, old-industrialised conurbation in Germany.
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Region in the chemical triangle of Central Germany
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Second highest and largest low mountain range in Northern Germany
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The Upper Bavarian Tertiary Uplands are a part of the Southern German Molasse Basin
Analytes
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Eighty percent of all elements on earth are metals
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Only eighteen elements in the periodic table
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Group of organic compounds with at least one covalently bonded chlorine atom
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Toxic and persistent organochloropesticide
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Group of organic compounds with at least three condensed six-membered rings
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Organic compounds which are fully (per-) or partially (poly-) fluorinated
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Atoms of one element with different weights
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Flame retardants reduce the flammability of objects
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Additional information for the interpretation of contamination data
Sampling period
1993 - 2022
Extended information
Links to external information and legislation
- " href="https://eunis.eea.europa.eu/species/223698" target="_blank">EUNIS biodiversity database - Lumbricus terrestris (external)
- " href="https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/publikationen/abenteuerliche-reise-von-fridolin-regenwurm" target="_blank">Die abenteuerliche Reise von Fridolin, dem Regenwurm (external)