Toxicity to Soil-Dwelling Animals

Soil-dwelling animals increase soil fertility by aerating the soil and decomposing organic matter. Pollutants in soil are toxic to these animals. Rodents (mammals) that live in soil are exposed to soil toxins via ingestion of insects, earthworms, and plant roots as well as dermal contact. In one study, soil contaminated with PAHs was shown to be toxic to the duodenum, lungs, kidneys, spleen, and liver of test animals. 13  

Insects and earthworms have a more intimate contact with soil pollutants and generally serve a more useful function in soil fertility. Earthworms have proven to be an easy species to study with regard to soil-polluting effects. Lead, cadmium, and copper are readily absorbed by earthworms. In high concentrations, these heavy metals are lethal. In lower concentrations, they accumulate, causing toxic effects that are manifest in reduced activity by the earthworms. 1415  

Pesticides in soils are acutely toxic and genotoxic to earthworms. The pesticides imidacloprid and RH-5849, for example, have been shown to be lethal at high concentrations and to induce significant DNA damage at lower concentrations. I16l 

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