Ref ID : 6769
R.F. Breimer, J. Vogel, and J.C.G. Ottow; Fluorine contamination of soils and earthworms (Lumbricus spp.) near a site of long-term industrial emission in southern Germany. Biol.Fertil.Soils 7:297-302, 1989
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The F contamination of soils and Lumbricus spp. around a site of long-term industrial emission in southern Germany was examined. Among total, water extractable, and HCl-soluble fractions, the latter most appropriately characterized anthropogenic F accumulation. Based on the HCl-soluble fractions from 88 sampling sites, a contamination map consisting of three zones was established. F accumulation in the calcareous soils of the area was restricted to the top 40-50 cm and can be explained by precipitation as CaF2. Earthworms (Lumbricus spp.) collected from the different zones reflected the F contamination well in the significant correlations found between total F in earthworms with and without gut and the corresponding soils. The bioaccumulation of F in earthworms is obvious, and may become hazardous of the earthworms themselves and for another animals feeding on contaminated soil and/or its fauna. A significantly higher F values was recorded in the linings of earthworm tubes than in the corresponding soil. F translocation by earthworm burrowing may be a mechanism of subsoil contamination.