Bioavailability and toxicity of nanomaterials in sewage sludge to earthworms

Data comprise earthworm survival and weight change data after 28 days exposure to nanomaterials and reproduction data after 56 days exposure. Concentrations of zinc and silver in extracted soil pore water and ultra-filtered pore waters are reported as well as pH and dissolved organic carbon data. The body concentration of zinc, silver and titanium in three earthworms from each replicate after 28 days exposure are included.

Data were generated from a laboratory exposure experiment of earthworms (Eisenia fetida) to soil amended with sewage sludge. The sewage sludges were from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) treated with nanomaterials (ENMs) or metal/ionic salts. Sewage sludges were generated with either no metal added to the WWTP influent (control), ionic ZnO, AgNO3 and bulk (micron sized) TiO2 added (ionic metal-treated) or ZnO, Ag and TiO2 ENMs added (ENM-treated). A sandy-loam soil was amended with the treated sewage sludge and aged in outdoor lysimeters for six months. Earthworms were exposed to the aged mixtures and a dilution of the mixtures (using control soil-sludge mix).