METAL ACCUMULATION BY THE EARTHWORMS LUMBRICUS-RUBELLUS, DENDROBAENA-VENETA AND EISENIELLA-TETRAEDRA LIVING IN HEAVY-METAL POLLUTED SITES

The earthworm Lumbricus rubellus takes up and retains lead from soil containing a high concentration of lead. Irrespective of the copper, zinc and manganese concentrations in the soil, these metals appear to be regulated in the tissues. In soil containing high concentrations of zinc and calcium there are species differences in tissue metal content. L. rubellus contained the highest amounts of zinc and manganese, Dendrobaena veneta the highest concentration of cadmium and the highest mean lead content was found in Eiseniella tetraedra. The concentration of soil calcium and copper, together with species differences in tolerance to heavy metals, are considered as factors which may influence heavy metal accumulation. Earthworms concentrate cadmium from the environment at higher levels than any other metal studied. © 1979.