Test No. 317: Bioaccumulation in Terrestrial Oligochaetes
This Test Guideline describes procedures designed to assess bioaccumulation of chemicals
in soil oligochaetes. The parameters which characterise the bioaccumulation of a substance
include the bioaccumulation factor (BAF), the uptake rate constant (ks) and the elimination
rate constant (ke). The test consists of two phases: the uptake (exposure) phase and
the elimination (post-exposure) phase. An elimination phase is always required unless
uptake of the test substance during the exposure phase has been insignificant. The
test organisms are exposed to the test substance during the uptake phase. The test
substance is incorporated into the soil; it is recommended to use the artificial soil
described in the OECD Test Guideline 207 (Earthworm, acute toxicity test). The uptake
phase should be of 14 days (enchytraeids) or 21 days (earthworms) unless it is demonstrated
that steady state has been reached. For the elimination phase, the worms are transferred
to a soil free of test substance. The elimination phase is generally of 21 days.
Published on July 23, 2010Also available in: French
In series:OECD Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals, Section 3: Environmental fate and behaviourview more titles