Abstract
The present research evaluated the redox ability of Cr6+ in the earthworm Eisenia foetida, and its effects on growth and survival. An assay was conducted with an increasing doses of K2Cr2O7 (0, 200, 400, 800, 1000, and 1200 mg K2Cr2O7 kg-1 substrate) applied to a vermicomposting system which was inoculated with 30 earthworms per chamber. Earthworm growth, estimated by weight, showed a quadratic response (p = 0.03) with the lowest estimated growth at a dose of 435 mg K2Cr2O7 kg-1. Chromium (Cr) concentration increments were positively associated to mortality in adults and cocoons (p < 0.01), and total Cr accumulation in earthworms (p < 0.01). The accumulation of chromium in worms, is an indicator of the capacity of worms to resist different doses of potassium dichromate and, the effect on accumulation of Cr (VI) in vermicomposting was higher (p = 0.11). The difference of potassium dichromate in worms could indicate the oxide reduction in E. fetidae. Key words: Redox chromium, growth, survival, Eisenia foetida.
Highlights
Chromium (Cr) is an indicator of anthropogenic heavy metal pollution in water, and its presence in effluents is associated with discharges from steel, paint, dyes, ceramic, chromate, and photography industries, tanneries, and other human activities (Kimbrough et al, 1999)
The present research evaluated the redox ability of Cr6+ in the earthworm Eisenia foetida, and its effects on growth and survival
The mean temperature in the breeding chambers was 23.9°C which is close to the recommended E. foetida (22°C), and is within the range for survival (20 to 31°C) (Khan et al, 2007)
Summary
Chromium (Cr) is an indicator of anthropogenic heavy metal pollution in water, and its presence in effluents is associated with discharges from steel, paint, dyes, ceramic, chromate, and photography industries, tanneries, and other human activities (Kimbrough et al, 1999). Complex metabolic processes involve changes in mobility and the availability of the elements is associated with microbial activity (Sizmur and Hodson, 2009) which occur inside and outside the earthworm during the vermicomposting process. This experiment was designed to evaluate the use of vermicomposting as a method to reduce the toxicity of chromium in the environment. Changes in growth and survival of E. foetida were analysed, and chromium concentrations were measured in both earthworms and vermicompost substrate
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