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Hazardous Effects of Eight Years of Application of Four Organic Waste Materials on Earthworm Numbers and Biomass in Field Lysimeters

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Abstract

The hazardous effects on the earthworm numbers and biomass of eight consecutive yearly applications of three levels (12.5, 25, and 50 tons of dry matter/ha/y) of four different organic sludges (municipal sewage, industrial sewage, alcohol fermentation processing, and leather processing) to earthworm-free soils were examined using field lysimeters. Results were compared with those of pig manure compost (PMC)-treated soil. Of five species (Amynthas agrestis, A. sangyeoli, A. hupeiensis, Drawida koreana, and D. japonica) from 390 adult specimens collected 4 and 8 years after treatment, the number of species appeared to be lower in sludge-treated soils than in PMC-treated soils. Earthworm populations and biomass were correlated negatively with the pollution index [∑(heavy-metal concentration in soil/tolerable level)/number of heavy metal] 4 and 8 years after treatment. These results suggest that the long-term application of these sludges, particularly from industrial sewage and leather processing, might affect adversely the establishment of Megascolecid and Moniligastrid earthworms in field conditions.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the Rural Development Administration and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology of Korean Government [World Class University Program (R31-10056)].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rural Development Administration, National Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology, Suwon, 441-707, Republic of Korea

    Young Eun Na, Hea Son Bang, Soon Ik Kwon & Myung Hyun Kim

  2. Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-921, Republic of Korea

    Young-Joon Ahn

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  1. Young Eun Na
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  2. Hea Son Bang
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  3. Soon Ik Kwon
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  4. Myung Hyun Kim
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Correspondence to Young-Joon Ahn.

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Na, Y.E., Bang, H.S., Kwon, S.I. et al. Hazardous Effects of Eight Years of Application of Four Organic Waste Materials on Earthworm Numbers and Biomass in Field Lysimeters. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 60, 99–106 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-010-9527-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-010-9527-0

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