US EPA

2064714 

Journal Article 

Sublethal toxic effects of aluminium on the earthworm Eisenia fetida 

Phillips, DR; Bolger, T 

1998 

1 

Pedobiologia
ISSN: 0031-4056
EISSN: 1873-1511 

BIOSIS/98/22129 

42 

2 

125-130 

eng 

WOS:000073595800004 

BIOSIS COPYRIGHT: BIOL ABS. Aluminium is the third most abundant element in the Earth's crust but because of the low solubility of its silicates, phosphates and oxides it has, until recently, been considered to be excluded from biochemical and metabolic processes. However, the toxicity of soluble aluminium to plants, fish and other animal groups is now well documented. Little data are available on the interaction of aluminium with earthworms and this study is a laboratory investigation designed to test the sublethal effects of aluminium, at three pHs (4.0, 5.5, 6.5), on the earthworm species Eisenia fetida grown in artificial soil. Several conclusions were reached: (a) the lethal dose at pH 4.2 is between 2000 and 4000 mg kg-1; (b) high levels of aluminium inhibit cocoon production between pH 4 and pH 7; (c) intermediate levels of aluminium stimulate cocoon production at pH 6-7; (d) low levels of aluminium inhibit hatching and juvenile production at low pH and (e) cocoon viability and juvenile pr 

earthworms; toxicity; aluminium