Potential harmful effects of spent coffee grounds (SCGs)-derived biochar on earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris) were investigated through two complementary experiments, which assessed the avoidance response of earthworms to biochar-amended soils (experiment 1), and the response of oxidative stress biomarkers and digestive enzymes (experiment 2). The main results were: 1) the highest dose of biochar (5% w/w) caused a significant avoidance response of earthworms (75% individuals avoided these treated soils after 48 h); 2) signs of oxidative stress were early detected in earthworms exposed to biochar (1 and 5% w/w) as indicated by the integrated biological response index; 3) earthworms exposed to biochar-amended soils for 30 d experienced a significant increase of digestive enzyme activities measured in both the gastrointestinal tissue and the luminal content; 4) interaction between earthworms and biochar led to a higher soil extracellular enzyme activities in the 1% biochar treatment than that of control and 5% biochar treatments. These findings suggest that the joint application of SCG-biochar and L. terrestris is a workable approach for improving soil quality in terms of soil biochemical promotion, although earthworms may develop some physiological mechanisms of biochar tolerance (antioxidant defenses).
Assessing biochar impact on earthworms: Implications for soil quality promotion / Sanchez-Hernandez, J. C.; Rios, J. M.; Attademo, A. M.; Malcevschi, A.; Andrade Cares, X.. - In: JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS. - ISSN 0304-3894. - 366:(2019), pp. 582-591. [10.1016/j.jhazmat.2018.12.032]
Assessing biochar impact on earthworms: Implications for soil quality promotion
Malcevschi A.;
2019-01-01
Abstract
Potential harmful effects of spent coffee grounds (SCGs)-derived biochar on earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris) were investigated through two complementary experiments, which assessed the avoidance response of earthworms to biochar-amended soils (experiment 1), and the response of oxidative stress biomarkers and digestive enzymes (experiment 2). The main results were: 1) the highest dose of biochar (5% w/w) caused a significant avoidance response of earthworms (75% individuals avoided these treated soils after 48 h); 2) signs of oxidative stress were early detected in earthworms exposed to biochar (1 and 5% w/w) as indicated by the integrated biological response index; 3) earthworms exposed to biochar-amended soils for 30 d experienced a significant increase of digestive enzyme activities measured in both the gastrointestinal tissue and the luminal content; 4) interaction between earthworms and biochar led to a higher soil extracellular enzyme activities in the 1% biochar treatment than that of control and 5% biochar treatments. These findings suggest that the joint application of SCG-biochar and L. terrestris is a workable approach for improving soil quality in terms of soil biochemical promotion, although earthworms may develop some physiological mechanisms of biochar tolerance (antioxidant defenses).I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.