V originále
The reproduction test with enchytraeids was standardized for testing of chemicals as well as for soil quality assessment. As a supplement for this test, the screening avoidance test has been developed recently but its design is still discussed. In our study, the toxicity of pesticide carbendazim to species Enchytraeus albidus was studied in LUFA 2.2 soil using the avoidance test with the aim to clarify the test design, the minimal test duration, and the changes in contaminant bioavailability due to ageing. Firstly, the hypothetical presumption that the same number of individuals occurs at each side of the control test vessel was statistically confirmed in a test with clear soil. After that, the concentration causing 50% avoid reaction (EC50) and the minimal time to reach this value was determined. In the next test, the LUFA 2.2 soil was spiked by that EC50 concentration and it was let to age for 1, 14, and 28 days before the test start. The results indicated that enchytraeids preferred older contamination where carbendazim was probably less bioavailable. Our results support the applicability of enchytraeid avoidance test for testing a bioavailability of contaminants.