A review of studies performed to assess metal uptake by earthworms

Earthworms perform a number of essential functions in soil; the impacts of metals on earthworms are often investigated. In this review we consider the range of earthworm species, types of soil and forms of metal for which metal uptake and accumulation have been studied, the design of these experimen...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental pollution (1987) 2007, Vol.145 (2), p.402-424
Main Authors: Nahmani, Johanne, Hodson, Mark E., Black, Stuart
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accumulation
Animals
bioaccumulation
Biological Availability
Earthworms
Eisenia fetida
Environmental Exposure - adverse effects
Kinetics
literature reviews
Metals
Metals - pharmacokinetics
Metals - toxicity
Oligochaeta - metabolism
Soil - analysis
Soil Pollutants - pharmacokinetics
soil pollution
Time Factors
Toxicity
toxicity testing
Uptake
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Summary:Earthworms perform a number of essential functions in soil; the impacts of metals on earthworms are often investigated. In this review we consider the range of earthworm species, types of soil and forms of metal for which metal uptake and accumulation have been studied, the design of these experiments and the quantitative relationships that have been derived to predict earthworm metal body burden. We conclude that there is a need for more studies on earthworm species other than Eisenia fetida in order to apply the large existing database on this earthworm to other, soil dwelling species. To aid comparisons between studies agreement is needed on standard protocols that define exposure and depuration periods and the parameters, such as soil solution composition, soil chemical and physical properties to be measured. It is recommended that more field or terrestrial model ecosystem studies using real contaminated soil rather than metal-amended artificial soils are performed. We review species, soil and experimental designs used to study metal uptake and accumulation by earthworms and suggest priorities for further studies.
ISSN:0269-7491
1873-6424
DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2006.04.009