Interaction of Earthworms and Microorganisms in the Detoxification of Metal Contaminants

Investigating the Role of Earthworms and Microorganisms in Detoxifying Heavy Metal Contaminants

Abstract

Only a few of the numerous factors that contribute to heavy metal pollution in soil includeemissions and waste from various industries, fertilizers, coal combustion residues, sewage, pesticides,and mine tailings. Heavy metals are more susceptible to direct and accidental exposure due to theircharacteristics, such as their rapid creation rates from human-made activities and their inability to beheld in a single location. The majority of metals have been shown to be durable and do not degrade as aresult of microbial or chemical action. In addition to reducing soil microbial activity and agriculturaloutput, high levels of heavy metals also put human health at risk through the food chain.The mostcommon heavy metal contaminants found in soil are lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), zinc (Zn),cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), and nickel (Ni). Three of the most prevalent soil pollutants arecadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn). Consequently, the study's objective is to investigate howearthworms and microorganisms interact in the detoxification of heavy metal contaminants.