HEAVY METALS CONCENTRATIONS IN EARTHWORMS (Eudrilus eugeniae) EXPOSED TO WATER AND SEDIMENTS FROM OGUN RIVER
Keywords:
metal load, metal exposure, earthworm tissue, earthworm toxicityAbstract
The bioavailability of heavy metals plays a vital role in their toxicity and accessibility to organisms. This study aimed at evaluating heavy metal levels in the earthworms (Eudrilus eugeniae) exposed to water and sediment from the Ogun River. Earthworms were collected using the handpicking and sorting method from the Botanical Garden of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. Fifteen (15) earthworms each were inoculated into three plastic culture bins a few centimeters below the surface of the beddings and treated with sediments and water from Ogun River and distilled water, respectively. The treatment was applied at 72 hours (3 days) intervals for the duration of thirty (30) days. Sample digestion for heavy metals was by wet oxidation, thereafter analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Highest Lead (Pb) concentration was observed in the tissue of earthworms exposed to river sediments (20.89 mg/kg) while the highest Copper (Cu) concentration was obtained in the control (7.81 mg/kg). Cadmium (Cd) concentration (0.15 mg/kg) was similar in earthworms exposed to river sediments and the control. The highest Chromium (Cr) and Iron (Fe) concentration was observed from those exposed to river sediments (7.66 and 12.30 mg/kg) respectively while Zn had the highest concentration in those exposed to river water (0.72 mg/kg). The highest CN concentration was determined in those of the control (0.65 mg/kg). The level of heavy metals was evident in the earthworm samples affirming that the safety threshold for metals in the environment can be determined via earthworm toxicity tests.
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