Effect of Spent Lubricant on the Mortality rate of Earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris) in Obio/Akpor L.G.A, Rivers State

Volume 3, Issue 5, October 2019     |     PP. 185-193      |     PDF (421 K)    |     Pub. Date: October 6, 2019
DOI:    234 Downloads     7146 Views  

Author(s)

Daniel, U.I, Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Otu, P., Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Abstract
A 4- week toxicological study was conducted to ascertain the effect of spent lubricant on the mortality rate and physiological function of Earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris). A total of 50 Earthworms of weight ranging from 0.3g-0.7g each were collected and acclimated in a test soil for 2 weeks after which they were used for acute and sub-lethal bioassay. The experiment which consisted of five groups and four treatments were laid out in a randomized block design. An acute toxicity test at concentration of 0ml/kg (control); 50ml/kg; 100ml/kg; 200ml/kg and 400ml/kg with an exposure period of 96 hours was carried out. Similarly, sub-lethal toxicity test was also conducted for a period of 30 days at a concentration of 0ml/kg (control), 7ml/kg, 13ml/kg, 20ml/kg and 27ml/kg respectively. Results revealed that in both tests, Lumbricus terrestris were sensitive to varying concentrations of used lubricants but were able to survive for a few hours at concentrations higher than 100ml/kg. The study revealed that Earthworm survival could serve as suitable indices to assess engine oil pollution in soil.

Keywords
Earthworm, acute toxicity, sub-lethal toxicity, spent lubricant, concentrations

Cite this paper
Daniel, U.I, Otu, P., Effect of Spent Lubricant on the Mortality rate of Earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris) in Obio/Akpor L.G.A, Rivers State , SCIREA Journal of Environment. Volume 3, Issue 5, October 2019 | PP. 185-193.

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