INQUINAMENTO del suolo rapportato alla presenza e condizione biologica dei vermi , anche in relazione all’alimentazione della BECCACCIA
Aggiornamento 2008 e 2009
Developments in Soil Science
Volume 32 , 2008, Pages 719-734
Chemical Bioavailability in Terrestrial Environment
Land reclamation using earthworms in metal contaminated soils
M.H. Wong and Y. Ma
Available online 21 March 2008.
30.1. Introduction
30.2. The use of earthworms for land reclamation
30.2.1. Earthworms in poor non-toxic soils
30.2.2. Earthworms in mine waste sites
30.3. The role of earthworms in reclaiming heavy metal contaminated soils
30.3.1. Metal tolerance in earthworms
30.3.2. Effects of earthworms on metal speciation and bioavailability
30.3.3. Earthworms and soil microorganisms
30.4. Trials of earthworm inoculation for the reclamation of Pb/Zn mine tailings from Lechang
(China)
30.4.1. The role of earthworms
30.4.2. Earthworms, mycorrhizal fungi and nitrogen-fixation
30.5. Conclusion
Acknowledgements
References
Environmental Pollution
Volume 157, Issue 11 , November 2009, Pages 3098-3105
Habitat type-based bioaccumulation and risk assessment of metal and As contamination in earthworms, beetles and woodlice
Frouke Vermeulen a , ,
Mubiana a , , Ronny Blust
, Nico W. Van den Brink a , , Lieven Bervoets a , b , , Helga D'Havé a , Valentine K. and Wim De Coen a ,

a
Ecophysiology, Biochemistry and Toxicology Group (U7), University of Antwerp,
Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium b
Alterra, Wageningen UR, Box 47, NL6700AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
Received 18 September 2008; revised 23 April 2009; accepted 12 May 2009.
Available online 12 June 2009.
Abstract
The present study investigated the contribution of environmental factors to the accumulation of As,
Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in earthworms, beetles and woodlice, and framed within an exposure assessment of the European hedgehog. Soil and invertebrate samples were collected in three distinct habitat types. Results showed habitat-specific differences in soil and invertebrate metal concentrations and bioaccumulation factors when normalized to soil metal concentration. Further multiple regression analysis showed residual variability (habitat differences) in bioaccumulation that could not be fully explained by differences in soil metal contamination, pH or organic carbon (OC). Therefore, the study demonstrated that in bioaccumulation studies involving terrestrial invertebrates or in risk assessment of metals, it is not sufficient to differentiate habitat types on general soil characteristics such as pH and/or OC alone. Furthermore, simple generic soil risk assessments for Cd and Cu showed that risk characterization was more accurate when performed in a habitat-specific way.
Our study provided essential insights into habitat-specific accumulation patterns with respect to factors influencing metal bioaccumulation, BAFs, and site-specific risk assessment.
Keywords: Metals; Forest; Grassland; Open woodland; Habitat type
Soil Biology and Biochemistry
Volume 38, Issue 2 , February 2006, Pages 359-370
Effects of earthworms on decomposition and metal availability in contaminated soil: Microcosm studies of populations with different exposure histories
Tuomas Lukkari a , Sanra Teno a , Ari Väisänen b and Jari Haimi a , , a
Department of Biological and Environmental Science, P.O. Box 35, FI-40014 University of
Jyväskylä, Finland b
Department of Chemistry, P.O. Box 35, FI-40014 University of Jyväskylä, Finland
Received 8 April 2005; revised 13 May 2005; accepted 20 May 2005.
Available online 28 June 2005.

Abstract
Population-specific differences in the responses of earthworms to simultaneous exposure to Cu and
Zn were studied in microcosm experiments. Two populations of Aporrectodea caliginosa tuberculata (Eisen) with different metal exposure histories were chosen for the studies. Microcosms were prepared containing either uncontaminated soil or soils with low or high combined Cu/Zn concentrations (79/139 or 178/311 mg kg
−1
dry mass of soil, respectively). Earthworms from each population were introduced to the microcosm treatments with some microcosms serving as controls without earthworms. One series of microcosms was destructively sampled after 16 weeks incubation in a climate chamber. Survival, growth, reproduction and decomposition by earthworms in each treatment were measured. An additional microcosm series was sampled for soil and earthworm measurements at four weeks intervals to determine temporal changes in the availability of metals in the soils and their accumulation into earthworms. Cu and Zn were sequentially extracted from the soil samples of both microcosm series to estimate mobility and availability of the metals in the soil. Earthworms with long-term exposure history to metal-contaminated soil seemed to tolerate higher soil metal concentrations than earthworms without earlier exposure. Both earthworms and metals affected soil respiration (CO
2
production) and nitrogen mineralization. In addition, earthworms seemed to decrease the mobility and bioavailability of metals in the soil through their burrowing activity.
Keywords: Microcosms; Earthworms; Aporrectodea caliginosa tuberculata; Metal exposure history; Metal availability; Decomposition
Science of The Total Environment
Volume 363, Issues 1-3 , 15 June 2006, Pages 126-135
Distribution of Cd, Zn, Cu and Fe among selected tissues of the earthworm
(Allolobophora caliginosa) and Eurasian woodcock (Scolopax rusticola)
Emilio Carpenè a , Giulia Andreani a , Marta Monari a , Gastone Castellani b and Gloria Isani a , , a Department of Biochemistry “G. Moruzzi” (Veterinary Section), Veterinary Medicine Faculty,
Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 50, I-40064 Ozzano Emilia,
Bologna, Italy b
Department of Morphophysiology and Animal Production, Veterinary Medicine Faculty, Alma
Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 50, I-40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia,
Bologna, Italy
Received 7 February 2005;

accepted 20 June 2005.
Available online 10 August 2005.
Abstract
We have measured the concentrations of heavy metals in soils, earthworms and tissues of woodcocks in Quaderna Valley, northern Italy. The soil concentration of metals analysed in this research is consistent with data reported by other authors for uncontaminated or slightly contaminated soils. In earthworms, metals were mostly accumulated in the encapsulating chloragogenous tissue; the positive correlation between Cu concentration in the soil and in earthworms is noteworthy. Heavy metal distribution in the tissues of woodcock showed that Cd accumulation in the kidney was linked to the diet. Cu and Fe were preferentially concentrated in the liver and Zn in the testis. Kidney Cd and Zn concentrations were higher in adults than in juveniles.
In addition, a main kidney metallothionein isoform, containing Cd and Zn, was isolated. In the kidney, Cd levels were linearly correlated with the concentration of metallothionein. Of the investigated metals, Cd raises the greatest concern, due to the increasing soil contamination by human activities.
Keywords: Trace elements; Scolopax rusticola ; Earthworms; Soil