The Effects of Lead Bioaccumulation on the Lifespan of E. fetida By L. Zeidner Inspiration Agriculture Permaculture: Regenerative and self-maintained agricultural systems modeled from natural ecosystems Cd PbCu Ni Zn FACTORY FARM Eisenia Fetida Used in vermicompost systems One of the many worms that can remediate lead from the soil Cd PbCu Ni Zn FACTORY InformationGap Studies observed heavy metal remediation in compost piles Information Gap (Cont.) E. fetida morbidity and heavy metal content Objectives What are the effects of lead accumulation on E. fetidas lifespan? Experimental Hypothesis Experimental hypothesis (H E ): If E. fetida were placed in a sample of soil containing high levels of lead, then they would accumulate significant amounts of lead causing E. fetida to live shorter lives. Variables IV: Amounts of lead in the soil and E. fetida tissue DV: Lifespan of E. fetida Procedure: Soil Experimental soil taken from Marktown Park in East Chicago, IN Soil was heated to kill insects and worms Lead testing done on control and experimental soil Procedure: Bin Design Procedure: E. fetida 50 E. fetida are placed in each bin Leave in bins for 15 days Check occasionally for dying E. fetida Pb 15 Days Results: Soil Lead Content SampleLead mg/kg Average Control19.75 mg/kg Average Experimental mg/kg Results: E. fetida Lead Content Results: Lead Content vs. Population Statistical Analysis of Soils t-Test: Soil Lead Content ExperimentalControl Mean Variance Observations54 Hypothesized Mean Difference0 df4 t Stat P(T