Abstract:

Aluminum is a highly cytotoxic metal to plants, but its ecotoxicity to invertebrates in neutral soils is still unknown. This study was to determine the acute toxicity of aluminum for earthworm in neutral soils by the techniques of contact filter paper test and artificial soil test from the international standard of OECD-guideline No.207. The results evidenced that aluminum appeared to be highly toxic, with LC50 values of 20-200 mg/l in contact filter paper test and 518.20 mg/kg in artificial soil test, respectively. The experiments indicated that acute toxicity of aluminum is more than cadmium in the contact filter paper test and artificial soil test, and it is even more than copper in the contact filter test at the same condition. Earthworms were sensitive to contaminated aluminum, especially their epidermis. Therefore， it is concluded that aluminum toxicity must be taken into account cautiously. Further studies will be required to evaluate the accumulation and biodegradation of aluminum for earthworms, nevertheless, more experimental design of chronic test will be adapted from this study.