The impact of cadmium and mercury contamination on reproduction and body mass of earthworms
2008
Lapinski, S.,Agricultural Univ., Cracow (Poland). Faculty of Animal Breeding and Biology | Rosciszewska, M.,Agricultural Univ., Cracow (Poland). Faculty of Animal Breeding and Biology
Eisenia fetida earthworms kept in laboratory conditions were exposed to a series of increasing concentrations of Cd and Hg. The numbers of animals and their body mass were checked after 4 and 8 months. The strongest impact of substrate contamination was exerted upon the number of young individuals and cocoons. The Cd contamination did not affect adversely the mass of earthworms, whereas in the Hg-contaminated group the decline in body mass was evident. After 8 months of experiments, the content of heavy metal in the bodies of earthworms was determined. An evident relationship between Cd and Hg contents in the substrate and their accumulation in earthworms' tissues was found. The concentration in the bodies exceeded the level in the substrate.
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