Soil pH governs production rate of calcium carbonate secreted by the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris

Lambkin, D. C., Gwilliam, K. H., Layton, C., Canti, M. G., Piearce, T. G. and Hodson, M. E. (2011) Soil pH governs production rate of calcium carbonate secreted by the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris. Applied Geochemistry, 26 (Supple). S64-S66. ISSN 0883-2927 doi: 10.1016/j.apgeochem.2011.03.032

Abstract/Summary

Lumbricus terrestris earthworms exposed to 11 soils of contrasting properties produced, on average, 0.8 ± 0.1 mgCaCO3 earthworm−1 day−1 in the form of granules up to 2 mm in diameter. Production rate increased with soil pH (r2 = 0.68, p < 0.01). Earthworms could be a significant source of calcite in soils.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/20339
Identification Number/DOI	10.1016/j.apgeochem.2011.03.032
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Science > School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science > Department of Geography and Environmental Science Science > School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science > Earth Systems Science Interdisciplinary centres and themes > Soil Research Centre
Publisher	Elsevier
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