Effects of aluminum and moisture levels on aluminum bioaccumulation and protein content in the earthworm Octodrilus complanatus
2013
Bilalis, D(Agricultural University of Athens Laboratory of Crop Production) | Tzortzi, I(Agricultural University of Athens Laboratory of Crop Production) | Vavoulidou, E(NAGREF Soil Science Institute) | Karkanis, A(University of Thessaly Department of Agriculture Crop Production and Rural Environment) | Emmanouel, N(Agricultural University of Athens Laboratory of Crop Production) | Efthimiadou, A(Open University of Cyprus) | Katsenios, N(Agricultural University of Athens Laboratory of Crop Production) | Patsiali, S(Agricultural University of Athens Laboratory of Crop Production) | Dellaporta, L(NAGREF Soil Science Institute)
Laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the effects of soil aluminum levels and moisture content on aluminum (Al) bioaccumulation and protein content in the earthworm (Octodrilus complanatus). The experimental design was a completely randomized block with 2 factors (aluminum content [C-0: 0 mg kg-1, C-1: 1000 mg kg-1, C-2: 2000 mg kg¹־, C-3: 3000 mg kg¹־] and moisture level [M1: 100% of soil water capacity, M2: 60% of soil water capacity] and 3 replications. The lowest pH was noted in the C-0 treatment. There were no significant differences in the electrical conductivity, cation exchange capacity or total nitrogen in soil between the aluminum treatments. Moreover, there were no significant differences in soil properties between the moisture treatments. The highest soil Al content was noted in the C-3 treatment. No earthworm mortality was observed in soil contaminated with Al. Moreover, the highest aluminum content in earthworms was observed in the C-3 treatment. The aluminum content in the earthworms was significantly positively correlated with the aluminum content in the soil (r=0.984***, p<0.001). Our results indicated that the growth of earthworms was affected by the Al level. Lastly, Al caused a reduction in earthworm protein content.
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