The effect of swine wastewater on several biological parameters of species Eisenia fetida: mortality, body weight, prolificacy

Abstract

The objective of the study consisted of testing the effect of residual water resulted from swine breeding complexes on earthworms Eisenia fetida (Savigny, 1826) (Phyllum Annelida, Class Oligochaeta, Family Lumbricidae) under the following aspects: mortality, body weight, prolificacy. The experiment has been carried out in laboratory (microcosm experiment, according to the adjusted OECD methodology (Guideline for testing of chemicals – Earthworm, acute toxicity tests, no. 207/1984), using the test of artificial soil. The test lasted 14 days. All earthworms involved in the experiment were adults, with weight over 4000 mg. In each recipient were introduced 10 earthworms. Data recording was made in the 14th day: weight, mortality, prolificacy (number of cocoons). After 14 days of experiment, there was observed a decrease of earthworm number per recipients only for concentrations 12.5 and 25 ml swine wastewater per kg artificial soil, by 10% and 20%, respectively, related to control. Regarding the prolificacy, the cocoon number was the highest (17) at the concentration of 6.25 ml swine wastewater per kg artificial soil, followed by the concentration of 3.12 (15), which means with 30.76% and respectively with 15.38% higher than in the control recipient. These two concentrations were the most favourable. The highest concentrations of swine wastewater determined a decrease of cocoon number, with 15.39% as compared to the control recipient. In all concentrations of swine wastewater the earthworm biomass was higher than in the control recipient, the increase ranging between 0.17 – 6.73%. There were no notable changes at clitellum or locomotion levels after 14 days of exposure on swine wastewater.