Short-term changes of metal availability in soil. II: The influence of earthworm activity

► Short-term earthworm-induced changes in soil metal availability were evaluated. ► Metals were applied to soil directly or via an organic matrix. ► Earthworm activity did not affect metal availability in soil over 12 weeks. ► Ni and Cu concentrations in D. veneta were higher at the highest treatment levels. ► Earthworm Cr and Ni concentrations were influenced by the matrices tested.