Journal article

Publication year: 1992

Pages: 121-128

Journal: Pedobiologia: Journal of Soil Ecology

Volume number: 36

Issue number: 2

ISSN: 0031-4056

Publisher: Elsevier

Abstract: 

The impact of four fluorides (NaF, KF, FCH2COONa and CaF2) in sublethal concentrations on the earthworm E. fetida was investigated (model experiments) in relation to its growth, maturity (clitellum-development) and fertility (number of cocoons and number of hatchlings). Fluoride-accumulation was determined at the end of the 22 weeks' test period.

In higher concentrations NaF, KF and FCH2COONa reduced growth of E. fetida significantly. CaF2 had no effect. The maturity was delayed through higher concentrations of NaF and KF in the substrate. In the case of CaF2, most Worms had a fully developed clitellum. Most cocoons were found in the experiments with FCH2COONa. Small concentrations of NaF, KF and FCH2COONa obviously raised cocoon-numbers, whereas higher concentrations of NaF and KF reduced it. Only NaF reduced the number of hatchlings per cocoon significantly. At the end of the test, all worms from the variants with NaF, KF and CaF2 had a significantly higher fluoride content then the control worms.

In heavily polluted soils, fluoride may deffect the earthworm fauna by reduction of growth and maturity. Such impacts may influence nutrient-cycling by diminishing mineralisation processes through reduced earthworm activity. Since toxicity highly depends on type of fluoride salt and soil properties, hazardous effects are difficult to assess, particularly in calcareous soils.

Harvard Citation style: VOGEL, J. and OTTOW, J. (1992) INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT FLUORIDES IN SUBLETHAL CONCENTRATIONS ON GROWTH, FERTILITY AND FLUORIDE-ACCUMULATION OF EISENIA-FOETIDA (OLIGOCHAETA, LUMBRICIDAE), Pedobiologia: Journal of Soil Ecology, 36(2), pp. 121-128

APA Citation style: VOGEL, J., & OTTOW, J. (1992). INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT FLUORIDES IN SUBLETHAL CONCENTRATIONS ON GROWTH, FERTILITY AND FLUORIDE-ACCUMULATION OF EISENIA-FOETIDA (OLIGOCHAETA, LUMBRICIDAE). Pedobiologia: Journal of Soil Ecology. 36(2), 121-128.