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Earthworm Uptake and Sequestration of Lead in a Terrestrial Environment

Little., Brandon J.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1316477794

Abstract Details

2011, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Environmental Science.
Lead (Pb) is a major soil contaminant that often drives both environmental and ecological risk assessment decisions. This thesis examines Pb bioaccumulation from soil by earthworms (Eisenia fetida) and the detoxification of Pb by incorporation into metal-rich granules (MRGs). The bioavailability of Pb in MRGs to earthworms in soil was also examined. Exposure of earthworms to increasing soil Pb levels (0, 320, 1,000, 3,200 mg/kg Pb) increased earthworm Pb body burdens (25.2, 84.5, 345, and 857 mg/kg dry wt, respectively) over 56 days. Worm population density and its effect on Pb bioaccumulation was examined by increasing worm density (1, 5, 10 worms/jar) during exposure to 1,000 mg/kg Pb soil and indicated that 10 worms per jar may provide greater precision in determining uptake rates. The uptake of Pb from MRGs was examined by exposing worms to a high soil lead level (6,400 mg/kg Pb) for 56 days, killing them, and reintroducing them as increasing numbers of carcasses (10, 25, 50/jar) in Sassafras soil. Although no increase in Pb uptake was apparent in worms exposed to carcass-amended soils, these results are inconclusive, likely due to the small amounts of total Pb introduced as MRGs. The structure of MRGs assessed utilizing TEM and x-ray spectra suggests him levels of Pb, Ca, and P.
Roman Lanno, Dr (Advisor)
Nicholas Basta, Dr (Committee Member)
David Stetson, Dr (Committee Member)
90 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Little., B. J. (2011). Earthworm Uptake and Sequestration of Lead in a Terrestrial Environment [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1316477794

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Little., Brandon. Earthworm Uptake and Sequestration of Lead in a Terrestrial Environment. 2011. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1316477794.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Little., Brandon. "Earthworm Uptake and Sequestration of Lead in a Terrestrial Environment." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1316477794

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1316477794
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© 2011, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.