Ref ID : 1585
Kikuchi, E. and Kurihara Yasushi; The effects of the oligochaete Branchiura sowerbyi Beddard (Tubificidae) on the biological and chemical characteristics of overlying water and soil in a submerged ricefield soil system. Hydrobiologia 97:203-208, 1982
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Submerged ricefield soils, outdoors, and with and without the tubificid Branchiura sowerbyi Beddard, were used to study the effects of tubificids on some biotic and abiotic variables. Measurements of chemical and biological features showed that the tubificids accelerated the diffusion of dissolved substances, increased the release of soil bacteria and enhanced the production of algae and a duckweed (Lemna paucicostata) in the overlying water. In the presence of tubificids, increased numbers of Cladocera (Moina sp., Simocephalus sp.) and ostracods in the overlying water, and higher number of sulfate-reducing bacteria in the soil were observed. The tubificids further enhanced the microbial activity in the upper soil layer, which in turn produced large amounts of organic matter.