Applied Ecology and Environmental Research

Platinum mines produce large amounts of inorganic tailings containing high levels metals which are disposed on disposal facilities (TDFs) and there is no information available their possible effects the surrounding terrestrial environment. The aim this study was to do an earthworm bioassay soils along a gradient from TDF over period 28 days in terms growth, reproduction metal accumulation. After earthworms soil collected up 1 km away showed significant (P 3?5 > 2?0 km. Cr, Cu, Ni Zn concentrations platinum (TDF ? 15 case Zn) were higher, while Cd, Co Pb lower when compared screening benchmarks proposed by U.S. Dept. Energy. presence these mixture, however, makes it extremely difficult assess effects. All had low bioconcentration factors (BCFs) viz. < 0.01 (CR, Pb), (Co), 0.33?0.5 (Cd), 0.01?0.08 (Cu) 0.18?0.29 (Zn). It can be concluded that mining, with TDFs as source contamination, has negative environment but further studies needed exact extent