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Heavy Metal (Copper, Lead, and Zinc) Accumulation and Excretion by the Earthworm, Dendrobaena veneta
Author(s) -
Marinussen Mari P. J. C.,
Zee Sjoerd E. A. T. M.,
Haan Frans A. M.,
Bouwman Lydia M.,
Hefting Mariet M.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq1997.00472425002600010039x
Subject(s) - excretion , earthworm , chemistry , zinc , copper , metal , zoology , soil water , environmental chemistry , agronomy , biochemistry , biology , ecology , organic chemistry
To obtain knowledge about heavy metal kinetics in earthworms ( Dendrobaena veneta ), we performed accumulation and excretion experiments under laboratory conditions using soils from a heavy metal (Cu, Pb, and Zn)‐contaminated site. To determine heavy metal accumulation rate, earthworms were exposed for 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 28, 56, or 112 d to soil MH (Cu: 815 mg kg −1 , Pb: 340 mg kg −1 , and Zn: 225 mg kg −1 ). After exposure for 28 d to soil LB (Cu 242 mg kg −1 , Pb: 109 mg kg −1 , Zn 72 mg kg −1 ) or for 112 d to soil MH, D. veneta were transferred to uncontaminated soil and sampled after 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 28, or 56 d to determine heavy metal excretion rates. Fourteen days after the transfer to the uncontaminated soil, some earthworms were transferred back to soil LB to determine the accumulation after a short recovery period. The Cu accumulation until Day 56 could be described by a one‐compartment model. At Day 112, however, we observed an unexpected further increase in tissue Cu concentration (C Cu ). We observed a significant increase in C Zn , only at Day 112. Excretion of Cu could be described excellently by a two compartment model, the half‐life times being t 1/2;1 ≈ 0.36 d, and t 1/2;2 ≈ 37 d. Excretion of Pb could be described with a one‐compartment model. After a fast initial excretion ( t 1/2 ≈ 0.70 d), Pb excretion stagnated. The accumulation after a 14‐d recovery period appeared to be significantly less than the initial accumulation. The Pb accumulation appeared to be slower after recovery than before.