Comparative Heavy Metal Uptake by Soil-Dwelling Invertebrates and the Bioassay Earthworm Eisenia Foetida
Abstract
The use of invertebrates as indicators of soil pollution has been approached from two directions: either as a predictive laboratory test or as an indicator of field conditions. Under the present contract, the two approaches were compared by measuring concentrations of Zn, Cu, Ni, Cd, Cr and Pb in soil macro-invertebrates (including native earthworms) collected at field sites and by conducting laboratory uptake studies using the earthworm Eisenia foetida exposed to dredged material and soil from the field sites. Three upland dredged material disposal sites on which ecosystems had developed to a greater or lesser degree and a reference area of low metal contamination were studied. These were: Times Beach Confined Disposal Facility (CDF), Buffalo, NY, Black Rock Harbor CDF, Bridgeport, CT and Ottawa Mine Spoil Reclamation Site, Ottawa, IL. The reference area was at Grand Island, Buffalo, NY. At each of the four sites measurements were made of heavy metal concentrations in dredged material/soil, soil-dwelling macro-invertebrates (collected by pitfall trapping) and native earthworms (collected by formalin vermifuge). Metal concentrations in earthworms exposed to substrates from each of the sites for 28 days under laboratory conditions were also measured (earthworm bioassay procedure). Concentrations measured in invertebrates from the field sites also provided information on target organisms for metal uptake at the sites.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 31, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA193407
Entities
People
- Elizabeth A. Stafford
Organizations
- Rothamsted Research