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Ring-testing and Field-validation of a Terrestrial Model Ecosystem(TME) – An Instrument for Testing Potentially Harmful Substances: Effects of Carbendazim on Organic Matter Breakdown and Soil Fauna Feeding Activity

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Abstract

Organic matter (OM) decomposition and soil fauna feeding activity were integrated as functional endpoints into ecotoxicological tests with intact-soil-core Terrestrial Model Ecosystems (TMEs). Cellulose filter paper served as standardized OM and was either inserted into the top soil or placed on the soil surface for a period of up to 16 weeks. Faunal feeding activity was assessed by the bait-lamina method. The fungicide carbendazim, applied at six dosages ranging from 0.36 kg/ha to 87.5 kg a.i./ha, served as a model chemical. To validate the results from the TME test, a field study was run in parallel. In TMEs the cellulose paper inserted into the soil was decomposed faster than under field conditions. The carbendazim-induced effects on OM decomposition in TMEs and in the field were comparable and followed a clear dose–response relationship. The calculated EC50 values after 8 weeks of incubation were 9.5, 7.1 and 2.1 kg carbendazim/ha for grassland TMEs, grassland field and arable TMEs, respectively. The feeding activity of the soil fauna showed a large variability. The EC50 values for the effect of carbendazim on bait-lamina consumption ranged between 2.0 and 56 kg a.i./ha. Effects on decomposition were correlated with effects on enchytraeids and earthworms but not with effects on bait-lamina consumption.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ECT Oekotoxikologie GmbH, Böttgerstr. 2-14, D-65439, Flörsheim, Germany

    Bernhard Förster, Gerrit Nentwig & Thomas Knacker

  2. Institute of Ecological Science, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Cornelis A.M. Van Gestel & Josée E. Koolhaas

  3. Departamento de Biologia, Universidade de Aveiro, P-3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal

    José M.L. Rodrigues

  4. IAV, Instituto Ambiente e Vida, Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade de Coimbra, P-3004-517, Coimbra, Portugal

    J. Paulo Sousa

  5. School of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, University of Wales, Bangor, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, United Kingdom

    Susan E. Jones

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  1. Bernhard Förster
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  2. Cornelis A.M. Van Gestel
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  3. Josée E. Koolhaas
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  4. Gerrit Nentwig
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  5. José M.L. Rodrigues
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Correspondence to Bernhard Förster.

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Förster, B., Van Gestel, C.A., Koolhaas, J.E. et al. Ring-testing and Field-validation of a Terrestrial Model Ecosystem(TME) – An Instrument for Testing Potentially Harmful Substances: Effects of Carbendazim on Organic Matter Breakdown and Soil Fauna Feeding Activity. Ecotoxicology 13, 129–141 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:ECTX.0000012410.99020.97

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