Publication Abstract

Recommendations of the 3rd International Workshop on Earthworm Ecotoxicology, Aarhus Denmark, August 2001

C. A. M van gestel and J. M. Weeks

From 26 to 29 August, 2001, the 3rd International Workshop on Earthworm Ecotoxicology was held in Aarhus, Denmark, hosted by the University of Aarhus and the Danish National Environmental Research Institute. This workshop was a follow-up of previous meetings held in 1991 in Sheffield (Greig-Smith et al 1992) and in Amsterdam in 1997 ( Sheppard et al 1998). Fifty-three delegates from Europe, North America, Africa, and Asia, representing academia, industry, and regulatory bodies, participated in the workshop, which was organized around four themes: (1) molecular, biochemical and physiological effects; (2) individual and population effects; (3) field and semifield studies; (4) soil quality and risk assessment. The workshop aimed at an exchange of scientific advancements in the field of earthworm ecotoxicology, and potential spinoff for the use of earthworm data in eco(toxico)logical risk assessment. During the workshop, 6 invited lectures, 17 oral communications, and 11 posters were presented. Each themed session ended with a general discussion. In addition, a workshop session was held to discuss three topics in more detail: (1) bioavailability; (2) physiological aspects of earthworm ecotoxicology; (3) risk assessment-regulatory and scientific perspectives. The recommendations given below are based on the general discussion and the results of the workshop discussions.

Reference:

C. A. M van gestel and J. M. Weeks. 2004. Recommendations of the 3rd International Workshop on Earthworm Ecotoxicology, Aarhus Denmark, August 2001. Ecotoxicology and Environmental safety: 57 (1) 100-105