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Earthworm Biomarkers in Ecological Risk Assessment

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Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology

Part of the book series: Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology ((RECT,volume 188))

Abstract

Earthworms are important components of the soil system, mainly because of their favorable effects on soil structure and function (Paoletti 1999; Jongmans et al. 2003). Their burrowing and feeding activities contribute notably to increased water infiltration, soil aeration, and the stabilization of soil aggregates. In addition, earthworms help to increase soil fertility by formation of an organic matter layer in topsoil. These features, among others, have led to the popularity of earthworms as excellent bioindicators of soil pollution (Cortet et al. 1999; Lanno et al. 2004). These organisms ingest large amounts of soil, or specific fractions of soil (i.e., organic matter), thereby being continuously exposed to contaminants through their alimentary surfaces (Morgan et al. 2004). Moreover, several studies have shown that earthworm skin is a significant route of contaminant uptake as well (Saxe et al. 2001; Jager et al. 2003;Vijver et al. 2005).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Ecotoxicology, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avda. Carlos III s/n, 45071, Toledo, Spain

    J. C. Sanchez-Hernandez

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  1. J. C. Sanchez-Hernandez
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  1. 5794 E. Camino del Celador, Tucson, Arizona, 85750, USA

    George W. Ware

  2. Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico

    Lilia A. Albert

  3. Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Pim de Voogt

  4. Tucson, Arizona, USA

    Charles P. Gerba

  5. Bayreuth, Germany

    O. Hutzinger

  6. Getzville, New York, USA

    James B. Knaak

  7. Gulf Breeze, Florida, USA

    Foster L. Mayer

  8. Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA

    D.P. Morgan

  9. Washington DC, USA

    Douglas L. Park

  10. California, USA

    Ronald S. Tjeerdema

  11. Fort Collins, Colorado, USA

    Raymond S. H. Yang

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© 2006 Springer

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Sanchez-Hernandez, J.C. (2006). Earthworm Biomarkers in Ecological Risk Assessment. In: Ware, G.W., et al. Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, vol 188. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-32964-2_3

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