Effects of low levels of lead on growth and reproduction of the Asian earthworm Perionyx excavatus (Oligochaeta)
Date
1999
Authors
Maboeta M.S.
Reinecke A.J.
Reinecke S.A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Abstract
The effects of sublethal concentrations of lead nitrate on growth and reproduction of the Asian composting earthworm species Perionyx excavatus was studied experimentally by exposing worms in an organic substrate to lead nitrate-contaminated food over a period of 76 days. The results revealed that growth was affected negatively by the presence of lead while maturation rate and cocoon production was not affected. In agreement with other studies on Eisenia fetida, cocoon viability was affected negatively by lead, making this a sensitive toxicity endpoint. Lead accumulation was of the same order of magnitude as for other previously studied species.
Description
Keywords
lead nitrate, earthworm, ecotoxicology, growth, heavy metal, lead, reproduction, sublethal effect, article, controlled study, earthworm, ecotoxicology, growth, hatching, nonhuman, reproduction, soil pollution, Animals, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Lead, Oligochaeta, Sexual Maturation, Soil Pollutants, Eisenia fetida, Perionyx excavatus, Pheretima sieboldi
Citation
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
44
3
44
3