The objective of the study was to evaluate the toxicity of trace elements to earthworms (Eisenia fetida) in recreational and military shooting range soils. The earthworms were exposed to soils; then mortality, growth, and reproduction endpoints were determined. In the recreational shooting range, the total Pb concentration was 6151 mg kg-1 and in the soil of the impact berm of the military shooting range, it was 653 mg kg-1. These Pb contaminated soils caused significantly higher mortality, weight loss and lower reproduction than the reference grassland soil. The most sensitive indicator was reproduction rate - a significantly lower cocoon production was found in shooting range soils than in reference soil. The soil organic matter content and bulk density also influenced survival of earthworms.
Keywords: Earthworms; Ecotoxicity; Lead; Shooting range.