Uptake of pollutants by soil organisms

N.M. van Straalen

4 Uptake of pollutants by soil organisms

In: Soil pollution and soil protection

Author:

N.M. van Straalen

N.M. van Straalen Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam The Netherlands

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Type:: Chapter

Pages:: 55–64

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004684188_006

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Summary

Soil organisms tend to take up soil pollutants to a variable degree, depending on a complex of three factors: properties of the soil, characteristics of the chemical, and various organism-related factors. Bioavailability relates to the fraction of a chemical that may potentially be taken up: the actual uptake depends on the physiology of the species. In earthworm studies, it has been demonstrated convincingly that the soil pore water is the major pool from which chemicals are taken up. Soil factors influencing the distribution of a chemical over solid phase and pore water (organic matter, pH, CEC), equally influence the uptake by earthworms.

For heavy metals, uptake patterns have been studied most extensively. Field surveys show that fungi may concentrate metals from soil; through mycorrhiza metals may be transferred to higher plants. Among soil invertebrates, metals are distributed very irregularly. Biomagnification in food chains does not seem to occur; instead, highest concentrations are found in certain taxonomic groups, such as earthworms, isopods, spiders and diplurans. Among the small mammals, Insectivora (mole, shrews) concentrate metals to a high degree, in contrast to Rodentia (voles, mice).

For organic chemicals rather few comparative data are available. Persistent pesticides such as organochlorines are often concentrated in earthworms while PAHs do not seem to cause high residues in soil animals, possibly due to efficient metabolism.

In biomonitoring programmes, levels of pollutants in soil organisms, as well as biomarkers of metabolic effects, may be helpful to indicate changes in soil quality in space and time.

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Soil pollution and soil protection

E-Book ISBN:: 9789004684188

Publisher:: Wageningen Academic

Print Publication Date:: 01 Jan 1996

Subjects
- Life Sciences
  - General
  - Agriculture & Environment

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4 Uptake of pollutants by soil organisms

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Soil pollution and soil protection

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