title: Utilizing an earthworm bioassay (Eisenia andrei) to assess a South African soil screening value with regards to effects from a copper manufacturing industry.
abstract: Metal contamination of soil due to industrialization has become an increasingly important problem in South Africa. This study aimed to investigate the potential impact of a copper (CuSO4·5H2O) production company on the soil environment. Bioassays using Eisenia andrei were performed to assess changes in biomass, reproduction and a biomarker, neutral red retention time, over a 28 day period. Earthworms exposed to soils from the Cu production site differed significantly (p < 0.05) from those exposed to soils 500 m and 5 km away in terms of the measured endpoints. These findings are consistent with the results from the chemical analysis which showed an elevated soil Cu content for both sites closest to the chemical production company compared to the reference site. The results confirm the importance and predictive value of using bioassays in conjunction with chemical analysis during soil quality assessments.
authors.affiliation: Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa, mark.maboeta@nwu.ac.za.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maboeta
authors.forename: Tanya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fouché
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001681:Biological Assay; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis*; D007221:Industry; D009499:Neutral Red; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000187:drug effects*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D013019:South Africa
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D009499:Neutral Red; D003300:Copper