Cadmium and lead in earthworms lumbricidae from allotment gardens and similar sites influenced by industrial immissions in berlin west west germany
Weisenfeld, P.
Zoologische Beiträge 32(2): 301-320
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0044-5150
Accession: 030382283
The cadmium and lead contents of earthworms in cultivated soils were investigated on 4 sites in vicinity of industrial areas and on an unpolluted site in Berlin-West. The species of earthworms living on one site, showed different contents of heavy metals. There was a correlation between the cadmium content and the different ecotypes: Dendrobaena rubida, a shallow-working species accumulates cadmium higher than Allolobophora caliginosa, Allolobophora chlorotica and Allolobophora rosea, living in the mineral ground. Lowest accumulation was found in the deep-burrowing species Lumbricus terrestris. In all species a strong correlation between heavy metal content and the age of the worms does not exist. The factor of accumulation of heavy metals is the highest on the unpolluted site, the lowest on the site that present plain parts of organic matter (peat). Allolobophora chlorotica seems to be best qualified in monitoring the biological availability of heavy metals in soils.