This study compared the uptake and depuration of four commonly used pharmaceuticals (carbamazepine, diclofenac, fluoxetine and orlistat) in two earthworm species (Lumbricus terrestris and Eisenia fetida). L. terrestris are a larger species and often found in deep burrows whereas E. fetida prefer to reside near the soil surface. Species burrowing habits and sizes may alter uptake by earthworms. ...

The aim of this study was to estimate the bioavailability of essential (Zn, Cu) and non-essential metals (Cd, Pb) to the earthworm Lumbricus rubellus exposed to soils originating from a gradient of metal pollution in Southern Poland. Metal uptake and elimination kinetics were determined and related to soils properties. Experimental results were compared with tissue metal concentrations observed...

The complex and dynamic nature of soil makes the assessment of soil biodiversity difficult. Findings presented here form part of a wider scheme to develop ‘bio-sampling’ methods based on earthworm cast analysis. Our overall aim is to achieve high throughput, metabolic procedures to monitor soil biological activity and, in particular, to investigate the potential for gene transfer from plants to...

The structural changes during spermiogenesis were studied on developing spermatids in seminal vesicles and receptacles of Lumbricus terrestris fixed in glutaraldehyde-osmium tetroxide and embedded in Epon-Araldite. The centriole plays a prominent role in the morphogenesis and organization of the microtubules of the manchette and flagellum. Microtubules arising from the centriole extend anterior...

Several technologies are being applied for treatment of palm oil mill wastes. Among them, the biological treatments (vermicomposting) have widely been recognized as one of the most efficient and eco-friendly methods for converting organic waste materials into valuable products. The present study focuses on vermicomposting of acidic palm oil mill effluent (POME) mixed with the palm pressed fibre...

17 To assess the risks that contaminated soils pose to the environment properly a greater 18 understanding of how soil biota influence the mobility of metal(loid)s in soils is 19 required. Lumbricus terrestris L. were incubated in three soils contaminated with As, 20 Cu, Pb and Zn. The concentration and speciation of metal(loid)s in pore waters and the 21 mobility and partitioning in casts were...