Dose-dependent effects of lead and cadmium and the influence of soil properties on their uptake by Helix aspersa: an ecotoxicity test approach

Three soil types with different physicochemical properties were selected to evaluate their effect on lead and cadmium bioavailability toxicity in the land snail Helix aspersa. In 28-day ecotoxicity tests, H. aspersa juveniles exposed increasing concentrations of Pb or Cd. EC50s, reducing growth by 50%, differed between soils so did Cd uptake snails. For lead, EC50s 2397–6357 mg Pb/kg dry soil, while they ranged 327 910 Cd/kg for cadmium. Toxicity metal highest lowest pH, organic matter content Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC). Growth reduction was correlated accumulation levels snails’ soft body, differences decreased when expressed basis internal These results confirm properties; CEC, OM content, aspersa, indicating importance properly characterizing assessing environmental risk contaminated sites.