Ecotoxicological effects of Alum and Ferric chloride on the population of Eisenia fetida (Annelida : Oligochaeta)

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the ecotoxicological effects of Alum and Ferric chloride on the population of Eisenia fetida in vermicomposting of sewage sludge. Using contact filter toxicity test, it was shown that LC50 of Alum and Ferric chloride on adult Eisenia fetida were 457.4 mg and 1,665.2 mg , respectively,which meant Ferric chloride had much higher acute toxicity on earthworm than Alum. Alum didn't affect on cocoon production, hatchability and number of hatched larvae of Eisenia fetida. Ferric chloride didn't have any efects on number of hatched larvae per cocoon, but reduced cocoon production and hatchability. Larval density of next generation was reduced by the food containing Alum and Ferric chloride. Above results indicated that the Alum and Ferric chloride could be one of the hazardous materials that made extinction of earthworm population when the sewage sludge treated with Alum and Ferric chloride was supplied to the earthworms.