Study of the ability of Eisenia fetid a to bioaccumulate metals from the substrate as a promising method for the restoration of soils contaminated with nanoparticles Cu, Zn and Mo

Abstract

The widespread introduction into production and distribution of nanoparticles and their accumulation in natural environments creates a danger of contamination of fertile soils. Moreover, the accumulation of nanoparticles in soil differs significantly from the behavior of larger particles. Based on the foregoing, the purpose of this study was to determine the ability of worms to accumulate Zn, Cu, and Mo nanoparticles from the substrate in order to assess the possibility of using it in soil restoration. In our study, we used nanoparticles Cu, Zn, Mo at a concentration of 50, 200, 500 and 1000 mg/kg of dry soil. A standardized artificial soil (70 % quartz sand, 20 % kaolin, and 10 % ground peat) was used as a substrate. The test objects were E. fetida worms. According to the results of the study, we established a different ability of the worm’s organism to cumulate metals with variable valency. At the same time, the level of Cu in the body of E. fetida increased along with dosages and exposure times, while the absorption and accumulation of Zn and Mo occurs to a certain level, with a subsequent slowdown in its accumulation rate. The data obtained show the promise of using worms in the technology of restoration of soils contaminated with nanoparticles.