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Toxicity of Dispensed Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) on Earthworm ( Lumbricus Terrestris ): A Consequence for Urban Agriculture

Chizoba P. Onwuanyia, Bolaji B. Babatunde, and Chiamaka S. Onwuanyia

Abstract

Negligence is one of the major contributors to environmental pollution over the years. This study assessed the toxicity of dispensed Premium Motor Spirit on Lumbricus terrestis (common earthworm) and its implication for soil fertility in urban agriculture. Dispened PMS was captured in eight fuel stations (situated along East-West road, Port Harcourt) at point of sales, to determine the volume of PMS dispensed to the ground daily. Before the toxicity test was conducted, test animals (common earthworms) were allowed to acclimatize in laboratory condition where they were place in six different groups using five liters transparent containers filled with soil. Acclimatization period lasted for five days after which, range finding test was conducted at 1%, 10%, 20%, 50%, 75% and 100% PMS per kg of soil sample to determine the lethal concentration of PMS. Result gotten was used for definitive test at concentrations: 0.4%, 0.5%, 0.6%, 0.8% and 0.9% PMS per kilogram of soil sample to determine the mortality rate. Result of range finding test revealed that common Earthworms were sensitive to PMS and can only survive for few hours at concentrations higher than 0.5% of PMS per kilogram of soil while the probity test revealed that at 0.4% and 0.5% of PMS, animals died after 144 hours of exposure.

Keywords

EcotoxicologyPremium Motor SpiritCommon EarthwormUrban AgricultureSoil Pollution.

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