Using Earthworms to Remove Heavy Metal in Soil

WOS: 000409920900012Heavy metal pollution in soil is one of the hardest removable pollution among the pollutions occurring in soil. Heavy metals, such as exist able to switch within the main material building during the formation of the soil, with various pollutants such as chemicals used in mine, industry and agriculture can reach to the soil. High concentration of heavy metals in the soil could be toxic to soil ecosystem, could cause deterioration of soil properties by blocking biological and biochemical reactions in soil. This situation can occur as disruptions and deteriorations in nutrients cycle. Heavy metals can also contaminate clean water sources in ground if the groundwater is leaked. Besides the effect of heavy metals in soil can cause acute or chronic diseases in food chain due to accumulation effects on human. Because of negative effects described above, the levels greater than critical level of concentration of heavy metals in the soil is not desirable. With mentioned effects; heavy metal contamination in soil needs to be removed to continue viability of biological, to preserve soil health and quality and to continue agricultural sustainability. To eliminate the heavy metal pollution in the soil; insulation-immobilization, mechanical separation, pyro metallurgical, electro kinetic, soil in place cleaning, soil washing and bioremediation Technologies are used. In this review study the results of researches about the earthworms were used in bioremediation techniques for heavy metal removal