Influence of clay content on bioavailability of copper in the earthworm Eisenia fetida

Date
2010
Authors
Owojori O.J.
Reinecke A.J.
Rozanov, A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
We investigated the effect of clay content on the bioavailability of copper to the earthworm Eisenia fetida, in the laboratory for 28 days using OECD artificial soil adjusted to 5%, 20% and 40% clay. Mortality, growth, cocoon production and internal copper concentrations were assessed in worms, and total, DTPA and CaCl2 extractable copper in the substrates were also determined. The results showed that with increased clay content, there was significant reduction in internal Cu concentration of worms as well as toxicity of copper as shown by data for growth and mortality. However, internal copper concentrations of worms could not explain fully the observed toxicity in this study probably because of Cu regulation. Among the three extraction methods, DTPA extraction revealed the strongest relationship between partitioning and toxicity of Cu in this study. DTPA extract is thus a promising surrogate measure of bioavailability of Cu to earthworms. It is concluded that clay content has significant influence on the bioavailability of copper to earthworms and other similar species. © 2009 Elsevier Inc.
Description
Keywords
calcium chloride, copper, pentetic acid, bioavailability, clay, copper, earthworm, growth response, mortality, partitioning, risk assessment, toxicity, animal experiment, article, bioavailability, body weight, clay, cocoon, concentration (parameters), controlled study, earthworm, eisenia foetida, growth rate, life cycle assessment, metal extraction, mortality, nonhuman, reproduction, risk assessment, soil analysis, soil property, Aluminum Silicates, Animals, Biological Availability, Body Weight, Calcium Chloride, Chelating Agents, Copper, Environmental Monitoring, Longevity, Oligochaeta, Pentetic Acid, Reproduction, Risk Assessment, Soil Pollutants, Eisenia fetida
Citation
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
73
3