Abstract
Soil arsenic (As) pollution from mining and industrial sources is a serious issue in China. Earthworms are considered ecosystem engineers and contribute to soil fertility development and maintenance of soil physico-chemical properties. In this study, earthworms were exposed to soils with different sodium arsenite concentrations (0, 5, 20, and 80 mg As kg-1) for 60 d to investigate the changes in soil properties and the responses of the earthworms (e.g., burrowing activity and respiration). Earthworm burrowing activity decreased with increasing arsenite concentrations, and earthworm respiration was significantly lower in soils with 20 and 80 mg As kg-1 compared to 0 mg As kg-1. Changes in soil properties were also observed after incubation of As-amended soil with earthworms. Specifically, soil pH decreased, while soil electrical conductivity and contents of soil NO3– -N, Olsen-P, and available K increased. Our results suggest that arsenite negatively impacts the metabolic activity of earthworms, leading to reduced burrowing activity, which in turn modifies the effects of earthworms on soil fertility and remediation.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.