Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J Römbke

Publications and source records attributed to J Römbke.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Effects of different soil types on the Collembolans Folsomia candida and Hypogastrura assimilis using the herbicide Phenmedipham.

Soil ecotoxicology studies are usually performed in standard soils such as Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development artificial soil or LUFA ST. 2.2, a natural soil. When assessing the toxic effects in the environment, soil properties are often different from those in standard soils, which might lead to different exposure situation for the test species and therefore to misleading conclusions. Selected to cover a broad range of properties and based on the Euro-Soils concept, 17 different soils were studied regarding their suitability to two tes species: Folsomia candida and Hypogastrura assimilis (Collembola). In reproduction tests, the test species reacted differently to the soils. F. candida was less affected by soil properties: 500 to 1200 juveniles/vessel were found in untreated soils (i.e. controls). These differences can be attributed to normal interindividual variability. H. assimilis showed a significant correlation with maximum water-holding capacity and also a tendency to lower the reproductive output in soils with a low pH (<4). Therefore, some soils were revealed to be inappropriate for tests with H. assimilis. In the main tests, the effect of the reference test substance Phenmedipham (formulation Betosyp) was studied in those soils where sufficient reproduction was determined beforehand. Clearly, the chronic end point was more sensitive than survival when testing Phenmedipham. In H. assimilis, because of high variability and low effects of tested dosages, no conclusions could be drawn. In F. candida, different soils caused different toxic effects: Juveniles preferred soils with high C-to-N ratios. Higher microbial activity might support a quicker metabolization of the test substance. In general, the toxic response is caused by a synergistic action of several soil properties with each of them exerting an effect too small to be clarified with the available set of data.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

The use of enchytraeids in ecological soil classification and assessment concepts.

In many soils worldwide, enchytraeids (Annelida: Oligochaeta) play a major role in soil functions like the decomposition of organic matter. In addition, standardized sampling methods are available and taxonomic as well as ecological knowledge is rapidly increasing (in particular, ecological profiles of the most abundant species). For these reasons, enchytraeids were recognized as a part of ecological classification and assessment schemes. In this contribution, the most important of these schemes are presented and it is shown that enchytraeids are most valuable as part of a battery approach. By use of examples from The Netherlands (BISQ), and Germany (BBSK), the practicability of the use of enchytraeids is demonstrated in identifying the influence of different anthropogenic land use forms. In these cases, the structure of the enchytraeid community and their abundance and biomass were used as endpoints. However, automation of the identification process can still be improved.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Foreword.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Biodiversity↗
PubMed2005

The use of earthworms in ecological soil classification and assessment concepts.

Without doubt, earthworms are the most important soil invertebrates in most soils worldwide, in terms of both biomass and activity. Several species are even considered to be ecosystem engineers. Earthworms are also known to influence soil structure, soil chemistry, and, in particular, processes like organic matter decomposition. In addition, standardized sampling methods are available and their taxonomy is well known (even the first PC-aided keys have been developed). For these reasons, earthworms were recognized as a part of ecological classification and assessment schemes early on. However, due to the relatively small number at many sites, they have to be part of a battery approach. By use of examples from The Netherlands (biological indicator of soil quality) and Germany (soil biological site classification), the practicability of the use of earthworms is demonstrated in determining the influence of different anthropogenic land use forms. In these cases, the structure of the earthworm community, as well as their abundance and biomass, were used as endpoints.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Leaching behaviour of pharmaceuticals in soil-testing-systems: a part of an environmental risk assessment for groundwater protection.

The leaching behaviour of six selected pharmaceuticals was tested in different soils. Leaching experiments are a part of environmental risk assessment to estimate the distribution and fate of these pharmaceuticals in the environment. Based on the results of this assessment their mobility in soil and their potential to contaminate groundwater was evaluated. When assessing the leaching behaviour of these compounds, the influence of the properties (e.g. grain size distribution, pH, Corg) of different soils has to be taken into account. The test results indicated that the leaching potential found could be rated as low for diazepam, ibuprofen, ivermectin and carbamazepine. Therefore, contamination of the groundwater with these substances seems to be unlikely if the groundwater level is covered with sufficient layers of the soils investigated. Clofibric acid and iopromide were very mobile under the experimental conditions and thus, groundwater contamination would be possible if the soil is exposed to these pharmaceuticals, i.e. wastewater irrigation. These results are more or less in agreement with groundwater monitoring data found in the literature for ibuprofen and diazepam which were in general not present in groundwater, while clofibric acid and iopromide were frequently detected. However, a discrepancy was found for carbamazepine, since it occurs very often in groundwater. This discrepancy might be explained by the fact that the leaching tests were performed with soil, whereas in reality the groundwater contamination occurs mainly over river sediments and sub soil from receiving waters.

Carbon↗
PubMed2002

Validating the enchytraeid reproduction test: organisation and results of an international ringtest.

In this paper the experiences concerning the organisation and results of the enchytraeid reproduction test (ERT) ringtest are summarised (for details see J. Römbke, T. Moser, Organisation and Performance of an International Ringtest for the Validation of the Enchytraeid Reproduction Test, vols. I and II. UBA-Texte 4/99, 1999, 150, 223 pp). The performance of this ringtest was in line with requirements published by OECD. It was sponsored by the German Federal Environmental Agency (Umweltbundesamt; UBA, Berlin). The UBA was also actively engaged (together with the European Chemicals Bureau, Ispra) in a scientific task force, which consisted of seven scientists experienced in terrestrial ecology and ecotoxicology. 29 institutions (mainly from universities and contract research laboratories) from 15 countries of Europe and North America participated actively in the ringtest. The co-ordinating laboratory centrally distributed the test chemicals, guidance papers and test organisms to all participants. In addition, several training courses were organised. Most participants performed two tests with the fungicide Carbendazim and two with 4-nitrophenol. For each chemical, one test was designed according to an ECx approach and the other according to an NOEC approach. Several aspects of the test protocol were modified based on the experiences gained during the ringtest. A major aspect of the project was the detailed statistical evaluation of the test results (for details see A. Weyers, J. Römbke, T. Moser, T. Ratte, Results of and statistical implications from the enchytraeid reproduction ringtest, 2001, submitted), leading to recommendations for an optimised ecotoxicological test design. A total of 92 tests were performed according to the protocol which is among the highest number ever performed in a ringtest. About 72% met the validity criteria (control mortality < 20%, > 25 juveniles per 10 adults). The effects of the two test chemicals on enchytraeid reproduction were in the range expected from data in the literature on oligochaete toxicity. However, statistical evaluation of the data was sometimes difficult as a result of the high variability in the number of juveniles. This variability was caused by several reasons, including hormesis effects or lack of experience of some participants. Comparison of the data from the NOEC and ECx approaches pointed to a clear advantage in favour of the latter. In most cases EC10 values were lower than the NOEC values determined in the same test. For details see A. Weyers et al. (loc. cit.). Reproducibility of the test data and practicability of the ERT ringtest were of the same order of magnitude as other ringtests recently performed. As a result of the ringtest, the ERT draft guideline was significantly improved. The new version is currently being standardised by OECD, ISO and ASTM.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Enchytraeids as indicator organisms for chemical stress in terrestrial ecosystems.

This review article surveys the available data on enchytraeid sensitivity toward chemical stress, and the effects of chemical stress on enchytraeid communities in terrestrial ecosystems. The factors affecting bioavailability of stressors to enchytraeids and the nature of direct and indirect effects that may occur are discussed, and the importance of laboratory tests and field studies for the evaluation of toxic effects is underlined. The existing data on specific types of stressors such as pesticides, metals, fertilizers, and industrial and domestic chemicals often show clear responses of enchytraeids, and in many cases interspecific differences in sensitivity are recorded. It is concluded that, although in several fields additional data are required, there are good perspectives for the use of enchytraeids as indicator organisms.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Short-term toxicity of lindane, hexachlorobenzene, and copper sulfate to tubificid sludgeworms (Oligochaeta) in artificial media.

The toxicity of lindane, hexachlorobenzene, and copper sulfate to Tubifex tubifex and Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri was determined using an easily applicable and standardizable 72-h short-term test system. It was designed for the quick assessment of sublethal and lethal effects of sediment-associated chemicals on the worms. An artificial sediment based on the Artificial Soil according to OECD Guideline No. 207 was used as test medium. The data confirm the common view that oligochaetes are highly tolerant of lethal effects. However, sublethal effects were detected at considerably lower concentrations than found for lethal effects. The EC50 values for autotomy (172 mg/kg dry wt sediment) and sediment avoidance (217 mg/kg) for T. tubifex exposed to lindane-contaminated sediment were, for example, more than five times lower than the LC50 value (> 1000 mg/kg). The no-observed-effect concentration for reworking activity (8 mg/kg) was more than 125 times lower than the LC50. Tubificids thus turned out to represent useful test organisms for the assessment of the ecotoxicological hazard potential of chemicals in the sediment compartment, because the sublethal effects not only affect the individual, but can influence the population levels and, consequently, the composition of the benthic community.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Further development for testing the effects of pesticides on wolf spiders.

Based on preliminary guidelines of the "Biologische Bundesanstalt für Land- und Forstwirtschaft" (BBA, Germany) for testing the effects of pesticides on wolf spiders (genus Pardosa, Lycosidae, Araneae), two test series were carried out with the pesticides Karate (a.i. lambda-cyhalothrin) and a noname product. At start of the test the pesticides were applied onto spiders and a sand substrate with an application apparatus. Thereafter, the mortality, the behavior, and the feeding rate were observed up to 14 days. Ninety-eight percent of the tested individuals belonged to the species Pardosa amentata. The results of the Karate experiments indicated a considerably higher reaction for males than for females. The aggression of the spiders proved to be a stress factor when the vessel was inhabited by more than one spider and caused higher mortality in individuals treated with pesticides. Spiders raised from cocoons in the laboratory were in general less sensitive than animals collected in the field and accustomed to laboratory conditions. Experiments performed with the noname pesticide in different seasons revealed that the sensitivity of the animals was influenced by their age. The parameters of mortality, behavior, and feeding rate proved to provide data adequate for evaluating the lethal and sublethal effects of the substances examined.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Age Factors↗