The Impact of an Earthworm Digestion on the Chemical Compositions of Various Clay Minerals from Soils

Semhi, Khadija and Clauer, Norbert (2024) The Impact of an Earthworm Digestion on the Chemical Compositions of Various Clay Minerals from Soils. Asian Soil Research Journal, 8 (3). pp. 1-10. ISSN 2582-3973

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Abstract

Aims: The impact of living organisms activities in soils may generate various chemical and mineralogical changes. The objective of this study is to estimate the impact of earthworms on the chemistry of soil minerals such as the clay minerals.

Study Design: An experiment was carried out integrating earthworms and clay minerals. The modifications due to this interaction between minerals and organic matter induced by earthworms’ digestion are discussed.

Place and Duration of Study: Institut des Sciences de la Terre et de l’Environnement (UdS/CNRS), Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France. Eight weeks of experiment for each type of clay.

Methodology: The earthworm Lumbricus terrestris was used for digestion of illite and various smectite-type minerals, with or without peat moss, during a laboratory experiment at a constant temperature of 20°C during 8 weeks and under artificial 12 hour-light and 12 hour-dark cycles, for each digestion cycle.

Results: The chemical elements extracted from smectites by the earthworm digestion appear to be mineral dependent. The behavior of K and radiogenic 40Ar is more dictated by the type of digested mineral than by the digestion process itself. The 87Sr/86Sr ratio of the acid leachates of the nontronite and peat mixture, before and after digestion, suggests that half of the digested matter corresponds to the digestive action of the earthworms, with the second half resulting from food. Digested clay material represents up to 30% and the peat moss the remainder of the mixtures.

Conclusion: This study highlights the role of organic compounds generated by earthworms activities in transfer of elements to surface waters and soil fluids.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: Science Global Plos > Agricultural and Food Science
Depositing User: Unnamed user with email support@science.globalplos.com
Date Deposited: 29 May 2024 07:26
Last Modified: 30 May 2024 06:19
URI: http://ebooks.manu2sent.com/id/eprint/2677

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