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Main controlling factors and forecasting models of lead accumulation in earthworms based on low-level lead-contaminated soils

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Abstract

To explore the main controlling factors in soil and build a predictive model between the lead concentrations in earthworms (Pbearthworm) and the soil physicochemical parameters, 13 soils with low level of lead contamination were used to conduct toxicity experiments using earthworms. The results indicated that a relatively high bioaccumulation factor appeared in the soils with low pH values. The lead concentrations between earthworms and soils after log transformation had a significantly positive correlation (R2 = 0.46, P < 0.0001, n = 39). Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis derived a fitting empirical model between Pbearthworm and the soil physicochemical properties: log(Pbearthworm) = 0.96log(Pbsoil) − 0.74log(OC) − 0.22pH + 0.95, (R2 = 0.66, n = 39). Furthermore, path analysis confirmed that the Pb concentrations in the soil (Pbsoil), soil pH, and soil organic carbon (OC) were the primary controlling factors of Pbearthworm with high pathway parameters (0.71, − 0.51, and − 0.49, respectively). The predictive model based on Pbearthworm in a nationwide range of soils with low-level lead contamination could provide a reference for the establishment of safety thresholds in Pb-contaminated soils from the perspective of soil-animal systems.

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Funding

This research was supported by the National Key Research and Development Plan of China (2016YFD0800407) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41501347).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, People’s Republic of China

    Ronggui Tang, Changfeng Ding, Mengxue Wan, Taolin Zhang & Xingxiang Wang

  2. University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, People’s Republic of China

    Ronggui Tang & Mengxue Wan

  3. Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, People’s Republic of China

    Yibing Ma

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  1. Ronggui Tang
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  2. Changfeng Ding
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  5. Taolin Zhang
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Correspondence to Xingxiang Wang.

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Responsible editor: Zhihong Xu

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Tang, R., Ding, C., Ma, Y. et al. Main controlling factors and forecasting models of lead accumulation in earthworms based on low-level lead-contaminated soils. Environ Sci Pollut Res 25, 23117–23124 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-2436-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-2436-x

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