Uptake and toxicity of copper and zinc for the African earthworm,Eudrilus eugeniae (Oligochaeta)

摘要: Growth rate change in earthworms is considered to be a suitable endpoint when determining sublethal effects. In this study we evaluated growth and maturation the vermicomposting earthworm speciesEudrilus eugeniae as marker of toxicity copper zinc. We also compared routes uptake. Apart from exposing worms experimentally for 73 days contaminated food, series contact filter paper tests was performed determine LD50 Both zinc at concentrations affected exposed food. These had content 34.5 μg g−1 after 184.9 g−1, showing differential Copper more toxic than Also test did take up (48 h) 0.011 mg cm−2 0.066 cm−2, which translated body burdens 6 131 Indications were that regulatory mechanism existed both metals. metals taken through wall relatively fast rate. This indicated skin major route metal showed poor relation between two types purposes evaluating lethality copper.