Ref ID : 6077
M.P. Ireland and R.J. Wooton; Variations in the Lead, Zinc and Calcium content of Dendrobaena rubida (Oligochaeta) in a base metal mining area. Environmental Pollution 10:201-208, 1976
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A study was made of the concentrations of lead, zinc and calcium in Dendrobaena rubida (Savigny) taken at different times of the year and three different sites. Lead levels in earthworms reflected the levels in the soils and the highest concentrations occurred in the winter months. Zinc appeared to be unrelated to soil levels at the site where the level of zinc in the soil was high. At the sites with lower levels of zinc in the soil the lowest concentration of zinc in earthworms was found in November. Earthworm calcium values were inversely proportional to the soil levels but monthly variations were inconsistent. There was a good correlation in earthworms between lead and calcium at the sites with high levels of lead in the soil. The concentration of metal in D. rubida is discussed in relation to seasonal changes, regulation and lead/calcium antagonism.