Effect of earthworms (Eisenia fetida) on the fractionation and bioavailability of rare earth elements in nine Chinese soils

Wen, Bin; Liu, Ying; Hu, Xiaoyu; Shan, Xiao-quan

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2005.09.002

Cited by 80 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…In this study, it was found that the presence or absence of organisms (earthworms and plants) did not change the pH values. Our results are however inconsistent with most previous studies, which have shown that, in contaminated soils earthworm activity increased soil pH (Wen et al, 2006;Udovic and Lesta, 2007). The mechanisms by which E. fetida should change pH value are still unclear (Sizmur and Hodson, 2009).…”

Section: Effects Of Earthworms and Plants On The Ph And The Availabilcontrasting

confidence: 57%

Earthworms Eisenia fetida affect the uptake of heavy metals by plants Vicia faba and Zea mays in metal-contaminated soils

Lemtiri

Liénard

Alabi

et al. 2016

Applied Soil Ecology

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A B S T R A C TEarthworms increase the availability of heavy metals in some situations and aid in maintaining the structure and quality of soil. The introduction of earthworms into metal-contaminated soils has been suggested as an aid for phytoremediation processes. In Wallonia, Belgium, a century of industrial metallurgic activities has led to the substantial pollution of soils by heavy metals, including copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd), due to atmospheric dusts. Two plant species, Vicia faba and Zea mays, and earthworms (Eisenia fetida) (Savigny, 1826) were exposed to different concentrations of longterm-contaminated soils for 42 days. The soil samples, which were collected from the land surrounding a former Zn-Pb ore-treatment plant, exhibited different levels of heavy metals. Our aim was to evaluate the role of earthworms E. fetida on the availability of metals in soils and their effects on metal uptake by V. faba and Z. mays plants at different soil concentrations.The results suggest that earthworms and plants modified the availability of metals in contaminated soils after 42 days of exposure. Earthworm life-cycle parameters were affected by metal contamination and/or the addition of plants; cocoon production and weight were more responsive to adverse conditions than earthworm survival or weight change. The concentrations of Pb and Cd in earthworm tissues decreased in the presence of plants. Results showed that metal accumulation in plants depended on the metal element considered and the presence of earthworms. However, the presence of earthworms did not change the concentrations of metals in plants, except for Cd. In the presence or absence of earthworms, V. faba accumulated higher concentrations of Cu and Zn compared with Z. mays, which accumulated higher concentrations of Cd. These findings have revealed that earthworm activities can modify the availability of heavy metals for uptake by plants in contaminated soils. Moreover, the study results show that the ecological context of phytoremediation should be broadened by considering earthworm-plant-soil interaction, which influence both the health of the plant and the uptake of heavy metals by plants.

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Section: Effects Of Earthworms and Plants On The Ph And The Availabilcontrasting

confidence: 57%

Earthworms Eisenia fetida affect the uptake of heavy metals by plants Vicia faba and Zea mays in metal-contaminated soils

Lemtiri

Liénard

Alabi

et al. 2016

Applied Soil Ecology

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“…Earthworms have been shown to affect soil physical properties, such as density, structure, aeration, and moisture (Jordan et al 1999Ponder et al 2000). Chemical properties, such as pH, nutrient availability, and heavy metals are affected by earthworms (Buse 1990;Robinson et al 1992;Buck et al 1999;Wen et al 2006). Earthworms influence microbial composition, biomass, and activity and thus affect the rates and patterns of mineralization and immobilization in soils (Bohlen and Edwards 1995;Binet and Trehen 1992;Binet et al 1998).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A microcosm study of the common night crawler earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris) and physical, chemical and biological properties of a designed urban soil

Scharenbroch

Johnston

2010

Urban Ecosyst

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Designed soils are used in specialized urban areas, such as under sidewalks or on roof-tops. These substrates have coarse light-weight aggregates to meet load-bearing specifications with soil in voids for rooting medium. A full-factorial microcosm approach was used to study Lumbricus terrrestris (two adult worms added and no-worms added), compaction (bulk density of 1.95 and 1.48 g cm −3 ), and litter (litter and no-litter additions) in a designed soil. Earthworm biomass, soil physical, chemical, and biological properties, anion leaching and surface C efflux was measured on days 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 72, 112, and 140. Earthworms decreased bulk density in compacted soil, but did not impact density of un-compacted soil. Earthworm biomass increased days 7 to 14, but declined from days 28 to 140, likely as result of the abrasiveness of the aggregate component and relatively shallow depth of the soil (25 cm). During the period of increasing earthworm biomass, surface C efflux, microbial biomass N, soil Ca 2+ and NH 4 + increased with earthworms. During the period of declining earthworm biomass, surface C efflux, microbial biomass N, soil Ca 2+ and NO 3 − , and leachate NO 3 − increased, and soil pH decreased with earthworms. While alive and dying, Lumbricus terrestris stimulated microbial activity and biomass and nutrient availability, but an apparent shift to nitrification was observed as earthworm biomass declined. The results show Lumbricus terrestris to improve designed soil properties for plants, but the improvements may be short-lived due to the inability of these earthworms to survive in the designed soil.

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“…In this study, the values of contaminated soil pH in the presence of earthworm increased from 0.16 to 2.06 units. Similarly Wen, et al [47] have found that soil pH increased from 0.2 to 1.1 due to earthworm (Eisenia fetida) activity. This noticeable increase in soil pH by earthworm has been attributed to the granules of calcium carbonate produced by the calciferous glands located into the earthworm esophagus [51].…”

Section: Total and Bioaccessible Bi In Soilmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This was possibly caused by a stronger affinity of Bi to form chelating complexes with metallophores and other biomolecule produced by earthworm. On the other hand, some studies suggested that the earthworms could stimulate the growth of soil bacterial populations that enzymatically degrade soil organic matter causing the release of the organically bound metal [45][46][47]. Bi bioaccessibility increased significantly following the death of the earthworms.…”

Section: Total and Bioaccessible Bi In Soilmentioning

confidence: 99%

Acute Toxicity of Bismuth to the Earthworm <i>Eisenia andrei</i>

Omouri¹,

Hawari²,

Fournier³

et al. 2017

IJEE

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Bismuth (Bi) is increasingly used in several industrial applications including the production of alloys, drugs, cosmetics and munitions formulations. However, little information is available on the environmental fate and ecotoxicological effects of Bi. The present study describes 14 days acute toxicity of Bi, added as Bi citrate to a natural sandy soil, to the adult earthworm Eisenia andrei. Total measured Bi concentrations were 298.0, 399.5, 431.0, and 469.5 mg Bi/kg dry soil. Data indicates that Bi was toxic to Eisenia andrei, as determined by LC 50 and LOEC, i.e., 416.0 and 399.5 mg Bi/kg dry soil, respectively. At 14 days in the presence of Eisenia andrei the bioaccessible fraction of Bi in soil, as determined in KNO 3 aqueous soil extracts, increased by a factor ranging from 1.6 to 30.0 compared to those measured at the beginning of experiment. Moreover, this study shows that an increase in pH caused by the presence of earthworm in soil was accompanied by increase in Bi bioaccessibility and consequently toxicity. For example, when Bi bioaccessibility increased from 0.262 to 7.516 mg Bi/kg dry soil, the mortality rate increased from 0 to 79%. Assuming that there were at least two routes by which Eisania andrei enhanced Bi bioaccessibility; one route was guided by the mobility, the biochemical (mucus) and the biological (bacteria) interactions of Eisenia andrei with soil constituents, and the other route was marked by the death of earthworms and the release of the accumulated Bi from the carcass.

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Effect of earthworms (Eisenia fetida) on the fractionation and bioavailability of rare earth elements in nine Chinese soils

Cited by 80 publications

References 34 publications

Earthworms Eisenia fetida affect the uptake of heavy metals by plants Vicia faba and Zea mays in metal-contaminated soils

Earthworms Eisenia fetida affect the uptake of heavy metals by plants Vicia faba and Zea mays in metal-contaminated soils

A microcosm study of the common night crawler earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris) and physical, chemical and biological properties of a designed urban soil

Acute Toxicity of Bismuth to the Earthworm <i>Eisenia andrei</i>

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Effect of earthworms (Eisenia fetida) on the fractionation and bioavailability of rare earth elements in nine Chinese soils

Cited by 80 publications

References 34 publications

Earthworms Eisenia fetida affect the uptake of heavy metals by plants Vicia faba and Zea mays in metal-contaminated soils

Earthworms Eisenia fetida affect the uptake of heavy metals by plants Vicia faba and Zea mays in metal-contaminated soils

A microcosm study of the common night crawler earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris) and physical, chemical and biological properties of a designed urban soil

Acute Toxicity of Bismuth to the Earthworm &lt;i&gt;Eisenia andrei&lt;/i&gt;

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Acute Toxicity of Bismuth to the Earthworm <i>Eisenia andrei</i>