Abstract
The concentrations of volatile chlorinated hydrocarbons in earthworms from a contaminated forest site were determined. In addition, Lumbricus terrestris were treated with different concentrations of trichloroethene in a laboratory study. Earthworms are able to take up volatile chlorinated hydrocarbons. In order to measure the concentrations of these substances the defecation time of the worms after sampling from the environment should be as short as possible. After contamination L. terrestris lost most of trichloroethene within 6 days. However, trichloroacetic acid was still found in high concentrations after this defecation period. Trichloroacetic acid seems to be a metabolic product of trichloroethene in earthworms and remains for a long time in the worms. Possibly trichloroacetic acid is a good monitor substance for environmental pollution by volatile chlorinated hydrocarbons.
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