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Activity of Earthworm in Latosol Under Simulated Acid Rain Stress

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Abstract

Acid rain is still an issue of environmental concerns. This study investigated the impacts of simulated acid rain (SAR) upon earthworm activity from the Latosol (acidic red soil). Laboratory experiment was performed by leaching the soil columns grown with earthworms (Eisenia fetida) at the SAR pH levels ranged from 2.0 to 6.5 over a 34-day period. Results showed that earthworms tended to escape from the soil and eventually died for the SAR at pH = 2.0 as a result of acid toxicity. The catalase activity in the earthworms decreased with the SAR pH levels, whereas the superoxide dismutases activity in the earthworms showed a fluctuate pattern: decreasing from pH 6.5 to 5.0 and increasing from pH 5.0 to 4.0. Results implied that the growth of earthworms was retarded at the SAR pH ≤ 3.0.

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Acknowledgments

The study was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 40871118), Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province, China (No. 8151064201000048; No. 9451064201003801; and No. S2011010001570), and China Postdoctoral Special Fund (No. 201003355).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ecology, South China Agricultural University, Wushan Road, Tianhe, Guangzhou, China

    Jia-En Zhang & Jiayu Yu

  2. USDA Forest Service, 100 Stone Blvd., Thompson Hall, Room 309, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA

    Ying Ouyang

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  1. Jia-En Zhang
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  2. Jiayu Yu
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  3. Ying Ouyang
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Correspondence to Jia-En Zhang.

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Zhang, JE., Yu, J. & Ouyang, Y. Activity of Earthworm in Latosol Under Simulated Acid Rain Stress. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 94, 108–111 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-014-1404-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-014-1404-5

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