The effect of bioturbation by Lumbriculus variegatus on transport and distribution of lead in a freshwater microcosm

Emmanuel R. Blankson, Paul L. Klerks

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The present study investigated the effect of bioturbation by the oligochaete worm Lumbriculus variegatus on the transport and environmental distribution of lead (Pb). Experiments used L. variegatus at densities of 0ind./m2, 2093ind./m2, and 8372ind./m2, in freshwater microcosms with Pb-spiked sediment. At the end of the 14-d experiment, Pb levels in the water column, tissues of L. variegatus, and sediment were determined, and bioturbation was quantified using luminophores. The bioturbation by L. variegatus increased Pb transport from the sediment to the water column. However, it did not significantly affect Pb bioaccumulation by L. variegatus or Pb levels in the sediment. The biodiffusion coefficient (Db) was positively related to worm density, but did not differ between Pb-spiked sediment and uncontaminated sediment. The latter finding suggests that Pb at the 100μg/g concentration used in the present study did not affect L. variegatus bioturbation. The present study shows that bioturbation can enhance Pb transfer across the sediment-water interface and thus enhance Pb availability to organisms in the water column. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:1123-1129.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1123-1129
Number of pages7
JournalEnvironmental Toxicology and Chemistry
Volume35
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 May 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Bioturbation
  • Lead
  • Lumbriculus variegatus
  • Transport and distribution

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