Stress‐induced enhancement of reproduction in earthwormoctochaetus pattoniexposed to chromium (vi) and mercury (ii)— implications in environmental management

Abstract

In continuation of earlier studies’ on the impact of heavy metal pollutants on earthworms, the mortality and reproduction in Octochaetus pattoni exposed to chromium (VI) and mercury (II) at levels varying from 0 to 25 ppm were studied. While both metals induced significant mortality at all levels of exposure, they also caused an enhancement in reproduction, as revealed by the higher production of juveniles and bits in metal‐exposed animals compared to controls. The significance of the results in environmental management is discussed.