Dynamics and Distribution of Heavy Metals Bio-Transfer in Multi-Occupational Sites.

Heavy metals contamination of soil is a recurrent issue in terrestrial ecosystems that are polluted by consequences of process particles augmented by metals and metalloids, including industrial activities. Consequently, we investigated the distribution between the levels of heavy metals in soils and tissues of earthworm species from metal-related occupational sites. Texturally, the soils were classified as sandy-loam, while, the metals level across different sampling locations followed a decreasing trend; Zn > Cr > Cu > Fe > Pb > Ni > Cd and found above the threshold limits. The highest concentrations of Zn (205.7 mg/kg) and Cu (145.8 mg/kg) are found in L1 whereas the levels of Cr and Cd vary somewhat between sites, with Ni and Fe values highest in L2. The earthworm species identified were <italic>L. terrestris</italic>, <italic>E. eugeniae</italic>, <italic>A. millsoni</italic>, <italic>P. obiensis</italic>, and <italic>L. violaceous</italic> with the highest metal level (Zn) in <italic>L. terrestris</italic>. The metals BF proceeds in Cr > Cd > Cu > Fe > Ni > Zn > Pb with a fitted relationship between the metals’ concentration and soil properties with earthworms. Therefore, it could be demonstrated that the discharge and distribution of heavy metal into soil biota was observed, possibly generated by the metal-related works. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]