Bioindication of soils of the city of Moscow using earthworms

Abstract

Relevance. One of the numerous and representative groups of soil animals-bioindicators, represented in all biogeocenoses - are earthworms. A change in the chemistry of the habitat leads to a change in their numbers. The article presents data on the indicator potential of earthworms in soil contamination with heavy metals. Methods and Results. Sampling of soil and earthworms was carried out in 11 sections of the South-Western Administrative District of the city of Moscow, confined to areas of various technogenic loads. The article presents data on the indicator potential of earthworms in soil contamination with heavy metals. A strong feedback was established between the total soil pollution coefficient and the number of worms, a weak feedback with their mass, and a strong direct relationship with the total concentration coefficient of heavy metals in earthworms.