English Abstract Research on the benthic oligochaete worm Branchiura
sowerbyi is carried out as part of a project to develop a set of sediment
toxicity tests. In this report a method is described to determine the
toxicity of field sediments to B. sowerbyi. The method is based on a test
method to determine the toxicity of single compounds to B. sowerbyi. The
toxicity of three field sediments from Markermeer, Ketelmeer and Nieuwe
Merwede were evaluated. Sediment from Schoonrewoerdse Wiel was used as a
control. The field sediments which are supposed to be polluted did not show
any toxic effect to B. sowerbyi.
