Comparative Toxicity of Refuse-Derived Fuel Fly Ash on Two Species of Earthworms, Lumbricus terrestris and E. foetida, Using an Artificial Soil Exposure Protocol

• Main Author: Jahani, Aghamolla
• Other Authors: Fitzpatrick, Lloyd C.
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: University of North Texas 1991
• Subjects: refuse-derived fuel fly ash; artificial soil; commercial soil; earthworms; toxicity of refuse-derived fuel fly ash; Fly ash > Toxicology.; Refuse as fuel > Environmental aspects.; Earthworms.
• Online Access: https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc504583/

Research estimated toxicity of refuse-derived fuel fly ash (RDF-FA) on two earthworms species, Lumbricus terrestris and Eisenia foetida. Specific objectives were to: (1) Compare their 14-day LC50s under light and dark conditions; (2) separate toxicity due to osmotic, pH and physical factors from that of heavy metal contaminants; (3) compare relative differences of artificial soil and commercial soil as exposure media for evaluating toxicity to earthworms. The 14-d LC50s for L. terrestris in dark and light were 57.0 and 48.34 % RDF-FA, and 59.25 and 41.00 % RDF-FA for E. foetida using artificial soil. All of the toxicity resulted from heavy metals within the RDF-FA. Using L. terrestris, the LC50s for artificial soil and commercial soil were 52.30 and 64.34%.