Abstract

Research on the benthic oligochaete worm Branchiura sowerbyi is carried out as part of a project to develop a set of sediment toxicity tests. In this report a method is described to determine the toxicity of field sediments to B. sowerbyi. The method is based on a test method to determine the toxicity of single compounds to B. sowerbyi. The toxicity of three field sediments from Markermeer, Ketelmeer and Nieuwe Merwede were evaluated. Sediment from Schoonrewoerdse Wiel was used as a control. The field sediments which are supposed to be polluted did not show any toxic effect to B. sowerbyi.