Cadmium bioaccumulation in Proisotoma minuta in relation to bioavailability in soils

Proisotoma minuta are widely distributed in Australian soils, especially in rehabilitated mine sites and in cotton fields. Laboratory studies were conducted to evaluate the accumulation of cadmium (Cd) in the Collembolan, P. minuta, using four Australian soils. Cadmium accumulation in body tissues was measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy of acid digests of the Collembola. Cadmium soil bioavailability of four Australian soils was determined using a sequential extraction method. The highest soluble-exchangeable Cd concentration was observed in Box Hill soil with the lowest pH, organic carbon, CEC, clay and very low iron content. Robertson soil with high pH, CEC, organic carbon, clay and iron content had the highest Cd organic- and oxide-bound concentrations. This may explain why there was higher Cd accumulation in P. minuta in the Box Hill soil than in the Robertson soil. The Cd uptake of P. minuta was predominantly correlated with soluble-exchangeable Cd concentration in soils followed by organic- and oxide-bound Cd concentrations. Presumably, soluble-exchangeable Cd is more readily available for P. minuta uptake than other Cd fractions.