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Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of earthworm density on the availability of nutrients and heavy metals in metal contaminated soils. Pb/Zn mine tailings were mixed throughly with a red yellow podzolic soil at the ratio (w/w) of 75:25. Earthworms (Pheretima sp.) were introduced to the mixture at four different densities, zero, three, six and nine individuals per pot planted with ryegrass (Loliun multiflorum). The results indicated that earthworm activity significantly enhanced ryegrass shoot biomass. However, as denser earthworm population was introduced, shoot biomass tended to decrease. Earthworm activity significantly increased soil pH and availability of N, P and K in the tailings and soil mixture. There was a general tendency that uptake of Zn by ryegrass increased after earthworm inoculation, although the increase in extractable Zn in tailings and soil mixture was not significant. On the contrary, there seemed to be a lower uptake of Pb by ryegrass under earthworm inoclation, despite the fact that higher extractable Pb concentrations were observed. The present project indicated that the improved growth of ryegrass was due to improved nutrient availability and other soil conditions, by inoculation of earthworms at an appropriate rate. Further studies are needed to illustrate the relationship between metal availability and earthworm activity in the field.
