Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in terrestrial invertebrates

doi:10.1016/S0269-7491(00)00179-2

Environmental Pollution

Volume 113, Issue 3, August 2001, Pages 385-393

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0269-7491(00)00179-2 Get rights and content

Abstract

In this literature study, accumulation data of metals in terrestrial invertebrates were collected and compared (Arthropoda and Lumbricidae). Based on total soil concentrations and body concentrations, regression equations were calculated for each metal (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) and each taxonomic group. We also tried to find out whether or not accumulation levels of metals in Lumbricidae are representative for all of the studied terrestrial invertebrates. Taxonomic groups could be ordered according to the extent of metal accumulation. Significant differences in accumulation levels of a factor 2–12 were found between taxonomic groups. Overall, metal concentrations were high in Isopoda and low in Coleoptera. The concentrations in Lumbricidae were in between. It should be kept in mind that the data for Lumbricidae were mainly derived from laboratory experiments, while the data for other groups were derived from field studies. The internal Pb, Cd and Cu concentration increased with the soil concentration for most taxonomic groups in the order Pb>Cd>Cu. Body concentrations of Zn were quite constant over a range of soil concentrations. The differences in accumulation level between taxonomic groups show the relevance of including detailed information on feeding behaviour in risk assessment for invertebrate-eating animals.

Introduction

Invertebrates are in close contact with contaminants in the soil compartment. Many mammals and birds eat invertebrates and risk assessment for these animals should include the food preference and metal concentration in the food. Accumulation data in Lumbricidae are commonly used in risk assessments for invertebrate eating animals (Romein et al., 1991, Balk et al., 1993). This approach neglects possible differences in bioaccumulation between invertebrate species. Variability can be expected because of the variation in morphology, physiology, behaviour, habitat and food preference between invertebrate species. The aim of this study was: (1) to collect and compare the accumulation levels of metals in invertebrate species; (2) to calculate regression equations for metal accumulation in terrestrial invertebrates based on total soil concentration and body concentration, which can be used for risk assessment for higher animals; and (3) to find out whether or not accumulation levels of metals in Lumbricidae are representative for all terrestrial invertebrates.

Following this objective, a literature study was carried out. Research in metal accumulation is usually focused on Lumbricidae, leading to a limited amount of information about other invertebrates (Morgan and morgan, 1988, Van Gestel et al., 1995, Spurgeon and Hopkin, 1996). Nevertheless, accumulation data about Arthropoda are available and some differences between species have been described (Larsen et al., 1994, Butovsky, 1998, Gongsalskii and Butovsky, 1998). Bioaccumulation data are mainly available about cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn). In this study, bioaccumulation data from several field studies are combined. First, the composition of the database will be shown. Second, some general results will be presented, followed by the accumulation patterns of the organisms for each metal (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn). Finally, the results will be discussed and the regression equations for Lumbricidae will be compared with those found in other accumulation studies on Lumbricidae.

Section snippets

Methods

An on-line literature search was conducted in Aquasci (Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Abstracts), Biosis, Chemical Abstracts and Scisearch (including the Science Citation Index and Current Contents). In the search, keywords were used from the categories soil, organism and metal. Publications had to include metal concentrations in soil and organism, several taxonomic groups, various metals and a range of soil concentrations. Furthermore, only field studies were used. The on-line literature

Results

Accumulation data about Arthropoda and Lumbricidae for Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn were found (Van Straalen and Van Wensem, 1986, Hunter et al. 1987, Janssen, 1988, Janssen and Hogervorst, 1993, Rabitsch, 1995a, Rrabitsch, 1995b, Rabitsch, 1995c, Janssen et al., 1997b). These groups represent a large part of terrestrial invertebrates. No suitable data were found for terrestrial Mollusca (snails and slugs). Most of the study areas were near a metal factory. In most of these studies, limited attention was

Discussion

In this literature study, accumulation data of metals in terrestrial invertebrates were collected and compared. First, the taxonomic groups could be ordered according to the accumulation level, although the variance in internal concentration within a group was usually high. Second, the internal Pb, Cd and Cu concentrations increased for most taxonomic groups with increasing soil concentrations. In contrast, body concentrations of Zn were quite constant over a range in soil concentrations.

Conclusions

This study showed the possibility to classify taxonomic groups with respect to the extend of metal accumulation, although it should be kept in mind that the data for the Lumbricidae were derived from a laboratory experiment. Significant differences in accumulation level of a factor 2–12 were found. Overall, metal concentrations were high in Isopoda, intermediate in Lumbricidae, and low in Coleoptera.

The internal Pb, Cd and Cu concentration increased with the soil concentration for most

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to N.M. van Straalen (Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam) and T. Schröder (Institute for Inland Water Management and Wastewater treatment, Lelystad) for discussing the subject and their comments on the manuscript, Mrs. R. van Leeuwen for assistance with the on-line literature search, J.A.J. Faber (Center for Biostatistics, Universiteit Utrecht) and C.P.M. Geerse (Institute for Inland Water Management and Wastewater treatment, Lelystad) for statistical advice.

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^¹: Present address: Research Institute of Toxicology, PO Box 80.176, 3508 TD Utrecht.

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Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in terrestrial invertebrates

Abstract

Introduction

Section snippets

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusions

Acknowledgements

Environmental Pollution

Environmental Pollution

Environ. Pollut.

Environ. Pollut.

Environ. Pollut.

Environ. Pollut.

Environ. Pollut.

Ecotoxicol. Environ. Saf.

Sci. Total Environ. Supp.

Environ. Pollut. Series A

Metal contamination in wildlife living near two zinc smelters

Environ. Pollut. Series A.

Cadmium soil sorption at low concentrations. Correlation with soil parameters

Water Air Soil Pollut.

Strategies of metal detoxification in terrestrial invertebrates

Heavy metal pollution and carabid beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) in the vicinity of the Kosogorski metallurgic plant at Kosaya Gora

Modelling and monitoring organochlorine and heavy metal accumulation in soils, earthworms and shrews in Rhine-delta floodplains

Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol

Species-specific differences in the net assimilation of zinc, cadmium, lead copper and iron by the terrestrial isopods Oniscus asellus and Porcellio scaber

J. Appl. Ecol.