Morton Arboretum Bioassays. Earthworm Bioassay Procedures to Evaluate the Extent of Aerially Dispersed Lead and Cadmium in an Urban Arboretum,
Abstract
Aerially dispersed heavy metals from a high speed motorway have been shown to be entering an urban arboretum. Lead (Pb) and Cadmium (CD) were found as remote as 930 m from an east-west, multi-lane motorway. Both Pb and Cd were bioavailable to earthworms (Eisenia foetida) and both metals were more concentrated in surface soils than at depths of 1 meter. Seven sampling stations were established at progressive intervals along the 930 m transect. At all sampling stations, soil cores 15 cm deep and replicated four times were collected. The sod was removed from each sample except for one station 33 m away from the motorway. This was retained and tested along with some additional 1 m depth soil cores. All samples were transported to the U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station (WES) where bioassay tests utilizing the earthworm (Eisenia foetida) were conducted under controlled conditions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 27, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA181624
Entities
People
- G. S. Wilhelm
- J. M. Marquenie
- J. W. Simmers
- P. D. Kelsey