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Data for: The deep-burrowing earthworm Lumbricus terrestris ingests and transports microplastic fibres of a wide length range in soils

https://doi.org/10.5878/kx3v-8w58
The dataset contains data that has been collected and processed in a laboratory based transport study of microplastic (MP) fibres by deep-burrowing earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris). The experiments included were 1) a transport study assessing the time-dependent redistribution of microplastic fibres by earthworms in soil columns (E1), 2) a study to assess which microplastic fibre lengths were ingested by earthworms (E2). For E1, MP fibres were mixed into the top 2 cm of a 30 cm thick soil column, earthworms added and the MP fibre redistribution measured after 2 and 4 weeks. The depth-dependent distribution of MP fibre mass was measured using the metal-dope of added MP fibres and MP fibre length by optical microscopy. The control treatment for E1 was with MP fibres but without earthworms. For E2, MP fibres were mixed homogeneously with all of the soil and then packed to 30 cm thick soil columns, earthworms added and collected after 2 weeks; then the earthworms were depurated in petri dishes and the earthworm casts collected, dried and analysed for MP fibre lengths. The control treatment for E2 was with earthworms but without MP fibres. MP fibre lengths were determined with optical microscopy. For more detail see the associated publication.
Download data and documentation (10 files / 12.78 MiB)

Data files

  • Datacollection_Heinze_et_al_Lumbricus_terrestris_ingests_and_transports_microplastic_fibres.xlsx
    1.53 MiB
  • E1_Length_Data.tsv
    10.15 MiB
  • E1_Mass_Data.tsv
    16.39 KiB
  • E1_Setup.tsv
    1.11 KiB
  • E1_SoilBKG.tsv
    573 Bytes
  • E1_Worms.tsv
    788 Bytes
  • E2_Length_Data.tsv
    1.07 MiB
  • E2_Setup.tsv
    926 Bytes
  • E2_Worms.tsv
    1.62 KiB

Documentation files

  • README.txt
    16.05 KiB

Citation and access

Data access level:

Creator/Principal investigator(s):

Research principal:

Data contains personal data:

No

Citation:

License:

Language:

Method and outcome

Time period(s) investigated:

Variables:

33

Data format/data structure:

Species and taxons:

Data collection Experiment

Mode of collection:

Experiment

Description of the mode of collection:

Laboratory based transport and exposure study.

Data collector:

Instrument

Name:

ICP-MS

Type:

Technical instrument(s)

Description of the instrument:

Detection of metal-dopant (indium) incorporated into microplastic fibres

Name:

Nikon, Eclipse 80i Upright Microscope

Type:

Technical instrument(s)

Description of the instrument:

Microplastic fibre lengths

Name:

ImageJ/Fiji

Type:

Other

Description of the instrument:

Image analysis software

Geographic coverage

Geographic location:

Geographic description:

There were no field measurements. The earthworm species used in this study is a common species for Europe.

Administrative information

Responsible department/unit:

Department of Soil and Environment

Funding

Funding agency:

Award number:

grant agreement no 720952

Award title:

ACEnano

Funding agency:

Award number:

2018-01080

Funding agency:

Award number:

grant agreement No 862695

Award title:

EJP SOIL

Funding information:

The subprogramme within the EJP SOIL that was associated with this study Is EOM4Soil

Funding agency:

Award number:

grant number PCEFP2_186856

Funding agency:

Award number:

grant agreement no 862444

Award title:

ASINA project

Topic and keywords

Standard för svensk indelning av forskningsämnen 2025:

Keywords:

Publications

Citation:

Heinze, W.M., Lahive, E., Leicht, K., Mitrano, D., Cornelis, G. (2026). The deep-burrowing earthworm Lumbricus terrestris ingests and transports microplastic fibres of a wide length range in soils. Geoderma, 468, 117768. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2026.117768Opens in a new tab

Contact

Geert Cornelisgeert.cornelis@slu.seOpens in a new tab
SLUarkiv@slu.seOpens in a new tab

Metadata

Version 1
doris
slu
Published: