Abstract
During the period 1996–1999 a joint field research programme (BIOPRINT-II) funded by the European Union was undertaken. The main objective of this project was the deployment of biochemical fingerprint techniques of soil invertebrate biomarkers for assessing the exposure and effect of toxicants on soil invertebrates in the field. The aim was to apply these techniques in the field focusing on a a chronically polluted field near a lead and zinc smelter in Avonmouth (UK). Therefore six sites were selected from which organisms were either sampled or transplanted to or from the laboratory. The project has provided a unique opportunity to apply a series of biological test methodologies in order to determine the hazard posed to soil sustainability and by inference soil biodiversity and function. This work has attempted to understand the linkage between effects measured at the molecular or cellular level and relate these to changes at higher levels of biological organisation. Here we evaluated the links between biomarkers and soil function parameters. The paper aims to summarize and explore the necessary caveats that must be understood before soil biomarker test systems may be used to strengthen the risk assessment process.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
M.S.J. Arts R.O. Schill T. Knigge H. Eckwert J.E. Kammenga H.-R. Köhler (2004) ArticleTitleStress proteins (hsp70, hsp60) induced in isopods and nematodes by field exposure to metals in a gradient near Avonmouth, UK Ecotoxicology 13 739–755
J.G. Bundy D.J. Spurgeon C. Svendsen P.J. Hankard J.M. Weeks D. Osborn J.C. Lindon J.K. Nicholson (2004) ArticleTitleEnvironmental metabonomics: applying combination biomarker analysis in earthworms at a metal contaminated site Ecotoxicology 13 797–806
R. Dallinger M. Egg (2004) ArticleTitleCadmium accumulation and Cd-metallothionein as a biomarker in Cepaea hortensis (Helicidae, Pulmonata) from laboratory exposure and metal-polluted habitats Ecotoxicology 13 757–772
P. Filzek D.J. Spurgeon G. Broll C. Svendsen P. Hankard J.E. Kammenga M. Donker J.M. Weeks (2004) ArticleTitlePedological characterisation of sites along a transect from a primary cadmium/lead/zinc smelting works Ecotoxicology 13 725–737
P.D. Filzek D.J. Spurgeon G. Broll C. Svendsen P.K. Hankard N. Parekh H.E. Stubberud J.M. Weeks (2004b) ArticleTitleMetal effects on soil invertebrate feeding: measurements using the bait lamina method Ecotoxicology 13 807–817
J.E. Kammenga R. Dallinger M.H. Donker H.-R. Köhler V. Simonsen R. Triebskorn J.M. Weeks (2000) ArticleTitleBiomarkers in terrestrial invertebrates for soil risk assessment Rev. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 164 93–147
R.O. Schill H.-R. Köhler (2004) ArticleTitleEnergy reserve and metal-storage granules in the hepatopancreas of Oniscus asellus and Porcellio scaber (Isopoda) from a metal gradient at Avonmouth, UK Ecotoxicology 13 787–796
V. Simonsen J. Scott-Fordsman (2004) ArticleTitleGenetic variation in the enzyme esterase, bioaccumulation and life-history traits in the earthworm Lumbricus rubellus from a metal contaminated area, Avonmouth, England Ecotoxicology 13 773–786
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Weeks, J.M., Spurgeon, D.J., Svendsen, C. et al. Critical Analysis of Soil Invertebrate Biomarkers: A Field Case Study in Avonmouth, UK. Ecotoxicology 13, 817–822 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-003-4479-z
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-003-4479-z