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Title: USING THE EARTHWORM, EISENIA FETIDA, TO ASSESS THE ECOTOXICITY OF WASTE FOUNDRY SANDS

Author
item Dungan, Robert - Rob
item Dees, Nikki

Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/9/2005
Publication Date: 11/9/2005
Citation: Dungan, R.S., Dees, N.H. 2005. Using the earthworm, eisenia fetida, to assess the ecotoxicity of waste foundry sands. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Earthworms are often used to monitor the toxicity of contaminated soils. In this experiment, the earthworm, Eisenia fetida, was utilized to assess the ecotoxicity of waste foundry sands. Each year the U.S. foundry industry generates several million tons of waste sand that is no longer useful to produce metalcasting molds. In states such as Ohio, foundry sands are being successfully used in manufactured soils and for geotechnical applications; however, additional toxicity data is needed before other states will consider similar beneficial use options for waste foundry sands. Following the guidelines established by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), we initiated an experiment to assess the viability and reproducibility of earthworms in soil blends containing 10, 30, and 50% foundry sand. The waste sands tested were from iron, aluminum, and brass foundries. Upon termination of the experiment, the trace metal content of the adult earthworms will be quantified. Data will be available during meeting time.