Their feeding and "casting" (waste deposition) actions improve the soil's mineral content and structure.
If you are preparing for a specific exam, I can help you practice further. Please let me know:
(Heavy contamination and compaction rendered construction impossible) worms put new life into derelict site reading answers
The Hallside site was a major steel production hub for over 100 years until its closure in 1979. Decades of industrial activity left the 30-hectare area heavily contaminated with heavy metals like . The soil was so compacted and toxic that it could not support traditional "brick and mortar" construction or natural plant growth, leading to its abandonment for over a decade. 2. The Innovative Rescue Plan
| Statement | Answer | |-----------|--------| | The derelict site was originally a landfill. | (It was an industrial site, not a landfill.) | | The worms were added without any other materials. | False (They added manure and organic waste as bedding/food.) | | The worms reduced the total amount of heavy metals in the soil. | False (They did not remove metals; they changed their chemical form, making them less harmful.) | | Plants began to grow again within one year. | True (Grasses and pioneer species appeared in 12–18 months.) | | The method has been tested only in the United Kingdom. | Not Given (The passage mentions a UK pilot but does not rule out other countries.) | Decades of industrial activity left the 30-hectare area
Fertility / Regeneration (The ultimate transformation of sterile industrial waste into arable, green landscape). 3. Matching Information / Features Concept: Deep-burrowing species (Anecic worms) →right arrow
Below is a summary of the project's key details and the definitive answer key for those preparing for their exams. The Story of Hallside: From Poisoned Soil to Green Haven Hallside steelworks operated for over a century before closing in 1979 . Its closure left behind 30 hectares of land so heavily compacted and contaminated The Innovative Rescue Plan | Statement | Answer
Planting trees for a renewable energy park ensures long-term funding.