ABSTRACT
A comparison has been made between the results of the acute toxicity test on Eisenia foetida and the Biomet® assay, a cellular biosensor based on the induction of lux genes in Alcaligenes eutrophus. The assays were applied to four different field soils artificially contaminated with increasing concentrations of Cd and Zn and adjusted to three different pH. The results indicate that the bioavailable fraction for E. foetida is only partially related to the soluble metal fraction in the pore water. As such, caution should be taken when applying the acute toxicity test on E. foetida to assess the retention function of field soils.
