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The growth and reproductive potential of composting earthworm is influenced by the chemical composition of initial feed mixture. Thus the GC-MS technique is used to determine the biochemical foot prints of the vermibed substrate before composting process. The present study conducted to analyze the chemical composition of precomposted animal dung material of Elephus maximus and Bos taurus by GC-MS analysis. The dung materials were precomposted up to 14 days and used for the analysis. The GC-MS spectrogram of Elephus maximus and Bos taurus showed 20 and 15 different compounds respectively. Predominant levels of esters were observed in elephant dung, which were dominated by the esterified polyunsaturated fatty acids with maximum peak area for elaidinsaeure methyl ester (26.6%). In cow dung the maximum peak area was obtained for 1-Hydroxy-1-methyl) −2-Methyl tetrahydro −2 furanyl] − 4, 4, 14-Trimethylandrost- 9 (11) – ene −3, 6, 16 (17%) and alcohol were the dominant functional group followed by carboxylic acids and esters. Thus the results indicated that the presence of higher percentage of esterified poly unsaturated fatty acids in elephant dung reflects its higher quality suitable for vermicomposting, since the dietary unsaturated fatty acids have the positive impacts on the reproduction of earthworm by enhancing the functionality in sperm production.

Earthworms have been well reported to have a beneficial effect on soil microbes, soil microbial biomass (SMB), fungal community, soil structure, water retention and plant growth in different terrestrial ecosystems. However, the interactions between environmental stressors and various species of earthworms and the subsequent effect on soil microbes, organic matter, soil structure and plant growth are still uncertain. The purpose of this analysis was to test 1- the impact of environmental stressors on earthworm behaviour. 2- the effect of various earthworms on soil microbes, plant growth, soil structure and the carbon cycle. We noted that less fatal temperatures are generally unknown, but higher fatal temperatures range from 25 to 48 °C. Earthworms have a role to play, depending on the nature of organic residues, in both the formation and degradation of soil aggregates. Improvements in microbial biomass and plant growth have been established according to temperature, soil toxicity, soil type, earthworms abundance, organic residues types and field conditions. We observed that although the summer temperature in the arid area was approximately (°C 48), it was found that a particular type of earthworm (Namalycastis indica) was responsible for improving soil characteristics.While a great deal of analysis has been carried out on the role of earthworms within the soil ecology, such a review identifies important knowledge gaps, particularly in the determination of the impacts of earthworm species on the soil structure, microbial biomass and plant productivity, in particular since most papers focused on European species and overlooked the role of earthworms in the arid landscape. Further research is recommended to compare the impacts of different earthworms species on soil microbes and plant growth in various soil types, earthworm abundance, field conditions, organic residues locations, inorganic fertilizers, pesticides, fertile or non-fertile soils and diverse conditions of drought and moisture.

Olive oil industry is economically important in Mediterranean countries. Disposal of olive mill waste (OMW) presents an environmental concern in those countries due to its high salinity and its high level of polyphenols. In order to reuse OMW, those properties have to change either through the filtration process and addition of adsorbents or by composting. One of the most important organisms in composting of organic wastes is earthworms. However, data on the effects of OMW on earthworms are scarce. The main aim of our study was to investigate whether OMW contaminated soil (OMW CS) causes adverse effects on molecular and organism level in epigeic earthworm Dendrobaena veneta and on microbiological activity. Changes of measured biochemical biomarkers (AChE, CAT, GST, lipids, MDA) varied depending on the quantity of added OMW CS and the exposure duration. Oxidative stress occurred after 7 days of exposure, while in most cases enzyme activity recovered after 28 days. At the highest ratio of contaminated soil (50%), reproduction was completely inhibited. The second aim was to investigate the impact of earthworms on phenol degradation and microbial activity, indicating an important role in the bioremediation of contaminated soils. Our results show that above a certain quantity an OMW CS has an adverse effect on earthworms, while the impact of earthworms on soil microbial activity was positive but transient. Yet, as the results also imply that earthworms have an impact on phenol degradation, they can be used to help remediation of OMW CS and its subsequent usage in agriculture. However, the quantity of OMW CS that can be safely added should be determined first.

Dentre as técnicas utilizadas no aproveitamento de resíduos agroindustriais, destaca-se a vermicompostagem, ou seja, o uso de minhocas na degradação desses resíduos pelo trato digestivo, transformando-os em húmus de minhoca. A minhoca Eudrilus eugeniae (gigante africana) é muito utilizada nesse processo de biotransformação e estabilização dessas materiais. Assim, objetivou-se com este trabalho conhecer a viabilidade do uso de resíduos agroindustriais na produção de húmus e multiplicação de minhocas. Os tratamentos foram constituídos por diferentes proporções de conteúdo ruminal (CR) e bagaço de cana (BC), sendo: (T 1 ) 100% CR; (T 2 ) 87,5% 12,5% CR + BC; ( T3 ) 75% CR + 25% BC; (T 4 ) 62,5% 37,5% CR + BC; (T5 ) 50% CR + 50% BC. Realizamos a inoculação das minhocas Eudrilus eugeniae , e decorridos 78 dias, quantificamos a massa de minhocas e de húmus. Uma combinação de 75% de conteúdo ruminal + 25% de bagaço de cana propicia melhores condições para multiplicação de minhocas Eudrilus eugineae. Quanto à produção de húmus, 100% do conteúdo ruminal possibilita maior produção do mesmo e essa decresce com a adição do bagaço de cana.

A mesocosm fermentation experiment was undertaken to investigate interactions between Eisenia fetida and Collembola affecting composting processes. Earthworms, Collembola, respiration, water soluble nutrients and compost characteristics (near infrared spectra – NIRS) were monitored on four occasions over 136 days. Earthworms were the main drivers of early changes in composts, increasing the general abundance of Collembola, although responses varied with species. Earthworms accelerated substrate mineralisation and release of soluble nutrients whilst also changing compost characteristics. Collembola alone had little direct effect on soluble nutrient concentrations or respiration; they did however alter compost characteristics (NIR spectra). Earthworm-Collembola interactions affecting respiration and soluble nutrients were mainly antagonistic in the early stages of composting but synergistic in later stages. In the later stages of composting, the higher abundance of Collembola when combined with earthworms resulted in greater concentrations of soluble nitrate and phosphate. These findings emphasise the importance in vermicomposting practice of different invertebrate groups having access to feedstock at appropriate stages of the process. The high concentrations of soluble nutrients released during vermicomposting indicate the need for control measures to avoid off-site pollution and loss of this resource.

In the natural environment, microplastics and biochar are normally coexistent. However, interactions between them on bioavailability and degradation of organic pollutants in soils are not clear. Here, wheat straw biochar produced at 400 °C (BC) and polyethylene (PE) with particle size ranges of 840–2000 and 104–178 μm were selected and named as LBC, SBC, LPE, and SPE, respectively. Their effects on bioavailability and degradation of phenanthrene in soils with or without earthworms were investigated. Sorption ability (lgKf) of PE-BC (1:1) mixtures for phenanthrene was higher than that of their corresponding individual PE or BC in general, which is mainly related to the change in DOC content in the equilibrium solution. Both initial desorbing fraction of phenanthrene extracted by n-butanol and degradation ratio of phenanthrene were more obviously decreased by the addition of 2% PE-BC mixtures than by the addition of 2% PE or BC in general. Correlation analysis results indicated that particle sorption played a key role in controlling phenanthrene bioavailability and then phenanthrene degradation no matter whether earthworm Pheretima guillelmi was present or not. Earthworm presence enhanced phenanthrene degradation in soils with SPE, LBC, or LPE but had no obvious effect on the degradation in soils with PE-BC mixtures due to the change in ingestion of SPE by earthworms or DOC solubilization. The enhanced sorption ability and the reduced SPE ingestion by earthworms by coexistence of PE and BC inhibited phenanthrene degradation, leading to higher persistence of phenanthrene.

Environmental contamination at shooting ranges is a widely known ecological problem. The aim of the study was to evaluate the extent of contamination and the ecotoxicity of a shooting range soil assessing the physiological and biochemical effects on earthworm Eisenia fetida (Savigny). Adult E. fetida were exposed to the soils collected from different distances of the shooting range for 28 days. High concentrations of Pb (53023 mg kg−1), increased concentrations of Ni (12 mg kg−1) and Sb (600 mg kg−1), significantly higher soil organic matter content (7.2%) and density (6.14 g cm−3) were determined in the backstop berm soil. Significant weight loss (44.4%) of the adult earthworms after 28 days of exposure occurred in the most contaminated shooting range soil and significantly higher concentrations of Pb (3101 mg kg−1), Cu (51 mg kg−1), Ni (2 mg kg−1), and Sb (20 mg kg−1) were determined in the tissues of worms, and no juveniles found there. Juveniles exposed to the less contaminated soil of the shooting range (A, B and C) accumulated significant concentrations of Pb, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn. The antioxidant enzymatic activity (glutathione-s-transferase (GST)) decreased, and lipid peroxidation increased as indicated by an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) level in earthworms exposed to the contaminated soil. A compensatory mechanism between the activities of glutathione reductase (GR) and GST in earthworms exposed to these soils was confirmed.

The Cardiovascular disease due to thrombus (clot) formation is the major factor of death throughout the world. Earthworms being the eco engineers has thrombolytic enzyme that can be used for thrombolysis. The thrombolytic enzyme was isolated and purified from supernatant of earthworm Apporectodea longa by column chromatography. Six Strain BKT 11, BKT 15, BKT 17, BKT 26, BKT 27 and BKT 28 shows the thrombolytic activity 791.64 U/mg, 1362.39 U/mg, 1205.4 U/mg, 710.63 U/mg, 529.66 U/mg and 625.00 U/mg respectively. Thrombolytic activity was confirmed by blood clot lysis method. Different concentrations 50 ?l,100 ?l, 150 ?l, 200 ?l and 250 ?l of extracted enzyme were applied on 25mg of wet blood clot along with control where distill water used. These fractions of extracted enzymes represent the dissolution of clot (thrombolysis). The molecular weight 32 KDa was determined by sodium dodecyl sulphate gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Results show that extracted elute have potential of fibrinolytic activity in this specie of earthworm and it can serve as a suitable therapeutic agent. Keywords: Thrombolytic activity, Casein plate assay, Blood clot lysis, spectrophotometry, Gel electrophoresis.

In this study, an analysis of organic fertilizer of an agro-waste (Sesame straw) plus cow dung was carried out using an epigeic earthworm species Eisenia fetida and Perionyx sansibaricus. Sesame straw is abundantly produced after each harvesting of the crop in Kharif season in arid region of tropical India. The compost produced in presence and absence of earthworm exhibit significant (P0.05) changes in physicochemical properties respectively. In control bedding, the values of water holding capacity enhanced significantly (P

Earthworms are a type of invertebrates that contributes to the growth of plants and fertility improvement of soil. Remilitine fungicide is commonly used by farmers in agriculture in the Benghazi region, whereas Chromium is one of the main soil pollutants, however, more studies are needed concerning its toxicity in soil organisms. Consequently, chromium was selected to be used in this research. Along with Remilitine fungicide and Chromium as well as Remilitine fungicide separately and in combination the body growth of the earthworm, Eisenia fetida in the laboratory. All worms were adults and fully clitellated. The adult worms were exposed to 70 days of sublethal concentration of Remilitine500ppm and Chromium200 ppm as well as the mixture of Remilitine - Chromium (200+ 500ppm). The worms of control treatment reported significantly greater body weight (F= 5.4, P < 0.05), as compared to that of Remiltine treated worms Furthermore, significant differences in worm were also revealed body weight between the control and chromium treated worms after 70 days (F=10.33, P

Pesticides may harm soil organisms such as earthworms and enchytraeids, but knowledge is lacking on their relative sensitivity to these chemicals and the consequences on soil functions. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of exposure to a commercial fungicide formulation (Swing® Gold, containing dimoxystrobin and epoxiconazole) on the function of earthworms (Aporrectodea caliginosa) and enchytraeids (Enchytraeus buchholzi) in soil organic matter (SOM) mineralization. The soil organisms were incubated alone and together in a 26-day laboratory experiment. At the recommended field rate, the fungicide induced a decrease in the SOM mineralization and a delay in the maximum daily CO2 emissions compared to the control soil without fungicide. Soil fauna also influenced SOM mineralization with a higher cumulated CO2 release after 26 days in the control soil with earthworms (by 21%) than without fauna. When both earthworms and enchytraeids were present, SOM mineralization did not increase, and there was a negative effect on earthworm weight gain. Finally, an alteration of fauna influence with treatment was observed from day 19, meaning that the effect of fauna on SOM mineralization changed with fungicide treatment. Earthworms no longer promoted SOM mineralization when fungicide was present at three-fold the recommended field rate. The effects of enchytraeids on SOM mineralization were similar with and without fungicide exposure. This study underlines the importance of considering the relative sensitivity of soil organisms to environmental factors and interactions between them when assessing soil functioning.

Aiming to reveal the humification process of organic waste and its contribution to the heavy metal behaviour affected by earthworm activity, it was studied about the variation of humic acid (HA) and heavy metal behaviour during vermicomposting of the mixed pig manure and 13C-labelled rice straw. The results showed that earthworms could well adapt to the culturing environment and feed organic matter for its growth and reproduction, the vermicomposting process increased the content of humic substances (HS), HA, and fulvic acid (FA) in substrate residues, but led to less transformation of HA into FA. The elemental, ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and fluorescence excitation–emission matrix (EEM) analysis indicated that vermicomposting led to more aromatic structures and much higher humification degree in HA, whereas less protein, FA-like substances and plastein in HA. Vermicomposting could enhance the total Cu content and decrease Cu/Zn bioavailability in the substrate residues, and vermicomposting especially can help stabilize Cu in the substrate residues by forming more complexed HA–Cu.

Applying carbon-rich materials, such as those resulting from pyrolysis (biochar) or composting (compost), to the agro-ecosystems has been proven to improve soil organic carbon (SOC) storage and reduce CO2 emissions. However, it is not clear how earthworms drive changes in soil C sequestration and mineralization under biochar/compost incorporation. A 288-day microcosm experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of earthworms on the concentrations of SOC and its fractions, the structural characteristics of SOC and CO2 emissions following three straw incorporation treatments (maize straw, maize straw compost, and maize straw biochar), and no straw addition was used as the control. Each treatment had two variants: one with earthworms (Eisenia nordenskioldi) and one without earthworms. The elemental analysis, 13C NMR spectroscopy, and three-dimensional fluorescence technologies were used to characterize the features of SOC. Results indicated that the incorporation of straw, compost, and biochar significantly improved the SOC contents compared with the control. Earthworms did not affect the SOC fractions in the control soil but led to the increase in SOC and humic acid (HA) under compost incorporation. The molecular structures of HA showed features pointing to high degrees of humification and aromaticity, as presented by elemental composition, fluorescence intensities, and 13C NMR. The increase of SOC and a slight reduction of CO2 emission in compost-amended soil could be attributed to the accumulation of more stable HA caused by earthworms. In contrast, earthworm presence decreased the aromaticity of HA in biochar-amended soil, and made its structure more hydrophilic, which was not conducive to C sequestration. In addition, the mineralization of microbial C by earthworms also led to an increased CO2 emission from biochar-amended soil. Earthworms weaken the ability of biochar to reduce soil CO2 emissions but improve the C sequestration capacity of compost-amended soil. This study improves our understanding of the contributions of soil macrofauna on the SOM formation and stabilization after incorporation of different maize straw-derived materials.

Bentonites are used on a large scale, by farmers and the feed industry, as a feed supplements to adsorb mycotoxins. The presence of mycotoxins in feed affects its quality, animal safety, and human health. Food additives must be used carefully as they may contaminate food and became harmful to the environment and food consumers. The present work studied the effect of two different concentrations of sodium bentonite on the body wall, gut, and coelomic cells of earthworms. The results revealed a change in the behavior of earthworms and the occurrence of a great alteration in the tested samples but no mortality was recorded. Coelomic cells aggregated, vacuoles and pseudopodia were formed.

Terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems are increasingly threatened by pesticide pollution resulting from extensive use of pesticides, and due to the lack of regulatory measures in the developing world, there is a need for affordable means to lessen environmental effects. This study aimed to investigate the impact of biochar amendment on the toxicity of imidacloprid to life-cycle parameters and biomarker responses of the earthworm Eisenia fetida. E. fetida was exposed to 10% biochar-amended and non-amended OECD artificial soils spiked with 0, 0.75, 1.5, 2.25 and 3 mg imidacloprid/kg for 28 days. An LC50 of 2.7 mg/kg was only computed in the non-amended soil but not in the biochar-amended soil due to insignificant mortality. The EC50 calculated in the non-amended soil (0.92 mg/kg) for reproduction (fertility) was lower than the one computed in the biochar amended (0.98 mg/kg), indicating a decrease in toxicity in the biochar-amended substrate. Significant weight loss was observed at the two highest imidacloprid treatments in the non-amended soil and only at the highest treatment in the biochar-amended substrate, further highlighting the beneficial effects of biochar. Catalase activity decreased significantly at the two highest concentrations of non-amended soil. Yet, in the amended soil, the activity remained high, especially in the highest concentration, where it was significantly higher than the controls. This indicated more severe oxidative stress in the absence of biochar. In all non-amended treatments, there was a significant acetylcholinesterase inhibition, while lower inhibition percentages were observed in the biochar-amended soil. In most endpoints, the addition of biochar alleviated the toxic effects of imidacloprid, which shows that biochar has the potential to be useful in soil remediation. However, there is still a need for field studies to identify the most effective application rate of biochar for land application.

Vermicomposting is an efficient and environmentally friendly technology to dispose of agricultural organic residues. The efficiency of organic residue decomposition during vermicomposting is directly affected by the biomass and population structure of earthworms. In this study, we investigated how the earthworm biomass and population structure responded to changes in the physicochemical properties of six types of organic residue (cattle dung, herbal waste, rice straw, soybean straw, garden waste, and tea residues) during vermicomposting. Each type of organic residues was placed in a pot with earthworms Eisenia fetida, and the physicochemical properties of the organic residues and earthworm growth dynamics were recorded at 0, 30, 60, and 90 d of vermicomposting. The biomass and population structure of earthworms were stable or increased in rice straw, garden waste, and cattle dung within 60 d of vermicomposting, whereas in tea residues and herb waste, very little earthworm activity (3 adults and 2 cocoons) was recorded on day 30. Among the physicochemical parameters, the substrate C/N ratio was negatively correlated with earthworm growth dynamics. Decomposing organic residues showed higher NH4+ -N and NO3– -N concentrations but a lower total organic carbon content, which negatively affected earthworm growth and reproduction. We recommend that chemical properties of vermicomposting systems should be monitored regularly. At the threshold levels of decomposing organic residue NH4+ -N and NO3– -N concentrations, earthworms should be removed and the vermicompost can be harvested. Small- and large-scale farmers thus need to monitor the physicochemical properties of vermicompost to sustain active earthworm populations.

The plan to build a coal-fired steam power plant is expected to increase. One of the wastes generated from coal-fired steam power plants is coal fly ash. The accumulation of coal fly ash can cause environmental pollution such as soil and groundwater pollution in the storage location. Vermicompost can be used for managing coal fly ash by utilizing earthworms as decomposers. Earthworms can increase the availability of nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium and reduce the solubility of lead contained in coal fly ash. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of vermicompost using earthworm Eisenia fetida on the content of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and lead in coal fly ash. The study consisted of five treatments, with a total weight of 3 kg coal fly ash each. The results showed that mixing cow dung in vermicomposting of coal fly ash significantly increased N, P, K and decreased Pb in vermicompost.

Effects of earthworm casts on soil nutrient dynamics and their responses to changing moisture availability in subtropical ecosystems remain poorly understood. This study aimed to examine short-term carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) dynamics and their interactions with wetting-drying cycles in three different structural forms (i.e., granular, globular, and heap-like) of Amynthas earthworm casts. The rates of C and N mineralization in the earthworm casts were examined under two different wetting-drying cycles (i.e., 2-d and 4-d wetting intervals) using a rainfall simulation experiment. After three simulated rainfall events, subsamples of the earthworm casts were further incubated for 4 d for the determination of CO2 and N2O fluxes. The results of this study indicated that the impacts of wetting-drying cycles on the short-term C and N dynamics were highly variable among the three cast forms, but wetting-drying cycles significantly reduced the cumulative CO2 and N2O fluxes by 62%–83% and 57%–85%, respectively, when compared to the control without being subjected to any rainfall events. The C mineralization rates in different cast forms were affected by the amount of organic substrates and N content in casts, which were associated with the food preference and selection of earthworms. Meanwhile, the cumulative N2O fluxes did not differ among the three cast forms. Repeated wetting and drying of casts not only enhanced aggregate stability by promoting bonds between the cast particles, but also inhibited microbial survival and growth during the prolonged drying period, which together hindered decomposition and denitrification. Our findings demonstrated that the interactions between the structural forms, aggregate dynamics, and C and N cycling in the earthworm casts were highly complex.

As the dominant macrofauna in many soils, earthworms play a significant role in mineral weathering and nutrient release from mineral structures into available forms for root uptake. Phlogopite is a trioctahedral micaceous mineral that can be weathered to other minerals through release of its interlayer potassium (K). In this study, we investigated the effect of earthworm activities and associated microbial communities on phlogopite weathering during the production of phlogopite-enriched vermicompost with different quantities of phlogopite added. An experiment was run under laboratory conditions using three levels of phlogopite (0, 20% and 40% by weight) in triplicates. Each Petri dish contained 20 g of a mixture of cow manure and phlogopite, and vermicomposting process was performed by inoculation of eight Eisenia foetida earthworms. Changes in clay mineralogy and C/N ratio in each dish were assessed at days 0, 45, 90, 135, and 180 during vermicomposting. The results indicated that phlogopite was partially weathered to vermiculite and interstratified mica-vermiculite during the vermicomposting process. The rate of weathering was higher during the early stages of vermicomposting (the first 90 d). The weathering of phlogopite was influenced considerably by the activity of earthworms and associated microbial communities during the organic matter transformation process. At the early stages of the process, the weathering rate for different levels of phlogopite was not significantly different, but over time it accelerated steadily, and the difference increased.

Seruk spring, located in Batu, East Java, is a spring with four different Land Use Systems (LUS) in its surrounding area, comprising a mixed, a pine, an eucalypt, and a bamboo forests. Over time, there have been changes in land use around the area of Seruk Spring. This results in a decrease in the environmental quality, and even in the spring’s water discharge. As spring serves as an important part of people living in the immediate vicinity, this research aimed to determine the differences in litter quality, earthworm populations, and soil porosity at each LUS. Litter was measured in each area and analyzed in the laboratory to determine its biomass and quality. Earthworm populations and biomass were measured with the iron box method, while the soil porosity and organic matter were based on secondary data from the previous research. The correlation among all the parameters was analyzed with Principal Components Analysis (PCA) using PAST 3 software. The results showed that the bamboo forest had the most suitable land-use system around spring, based on the highest litter thickness and its quality in the area. The different qualities of each LUS provided diverse advantages for the spring ecosystem. The presence of the bamboo forest around the spring area should be conserved, to maintain the quality of the ecosystem and the sustainability of the spring area itself.

Soil contamination with crude oil is a major environmental problem. The aim of this study was to assess whether the earthworm Allolobophora caliginosa could improve the degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons while enriching soils that were contaminated with crude oil. In addition, the toxic effects of crude oil on earthworms during bioremediation will be assessed. The soil samples were experimentally contaminated with two different quantities of light crude oil 5 or 7.5 ml for 60 days. Activities of A. caliginosa resulted in 33.56% and 54.98% total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) losses from the soil contaminated with 5 ml of crude oil after 22 and 60 days; respectively. While in 7.5 ml crude oil-contaminated soil, there was a loss of 32.24% and 71.05% of TPH over the same period of time. During the experiment, however, there were no signs of improvement in soil physicochemical properties. Earthworm tissue analyses at the end of the experiment showed significant bioaccumulation of petroleum hydrocarbons in their tissues and changes in their metabolic and hematological parameters. Earthworms exposed to crude oil showed a significant increase in protein, malondialdehyde, and glutathione but decreased in catalase levels and total antioxidant capacity compared to control earthworm after 60 days of exposure. There was a significant decrease in the Hgb, RBCS, Hct, MCV, MCH, platelet count, and WBCs. As a result, the earthworm Allolobophora caliginosa has been shown to be good bioremediator for oil-contaminated soils and also has potential as a bioindicator for contamination.

Pesticides and nanoparticles may coexist in soil; however, influences of nanoparticles on accumulation of pesticides in terrestrial organisms are still unclear. This study aims to investigate the influences and mechanisms of metal oxide nanoparticles (nano ZnO and nano CuO) on accumulation of pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB) in earthworms and their combined toxicity. The earthworms were cultivated in the soil spiked with nanoparticles (10, 50, 250 mg/kg) and PCNB (100 μg/kg) for 21 days. The concentrations of PCNB in earthworms in binary exposure treatments (PCNB + ZnO and PCNB + CuO) reached 2.47 and 3.13 times of that in individual PCNB exposure treatment, indicating that nanoparticles facilitated the accumulation of PCNB in earthworms. The contents of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in earthworms in treatments PCNB + ZnO 250 and PCNB + CuO 250 reached 379 and 316 fluorescence intensity/mg Protein, respectively, which were significantly higher than that in control group (183 fluorescence intensity/mg protein), indicating that nanoparticles would cause oxidative stress to earthworms. Earthworm coelomocytes were extracted from healthy earthworms and cultivated in culture media in cytotoxicity tests. Changes of intracellular ROS contents and cell viability suggested that PCNB and nanoparticles caused serious oxidative damage to earthworm coelomocytes, thus leading to the damage of cell membrane and cell death. In in vivo tests, changes of biomarkers (ROS and malondialdehyde) demonstrated that these pollutants injured the earthworms. Increased accumulation of PCNB in binary exposure treatments was due to the damage of body cavity caused by nanoparticles. This study provides a novel hypothesis for nanoparticles facilitating organic pollutants entering terrestrial organisms and determines whether nanoparticles would bring about greater environmental risks of other pollutants.

The present study investigates the bioaccumulation of the insensitive munition compounds 2,4-dinitroanisole (DNAN) and 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO), developed for future weapons systems to replace current munitions containing sensitive explosives. The earthworm Eisenia andrei was exposed to sublethal concentrations of DNAN or NTO amended in Sassafras sandy loam. Chemical analysis indicated that 2- and 4-amino-nitroanisole (2-ANAN and 4-ANAN, respectively) were formed in DNAN-amended soils. The SumDNAN (sum of DNAN, 2-ANAN, and 4-ANAN concentrations) in soil decreased by 40% during the 14-d exposure period. The SumDNAN in the earthworm body residue increased until day 3 and decreased thereafter. Between days 3 and 14, there was a 73% decrease in tissue uptake that was greater than the 23% decrease in the soil concentration, suggesting that the bioavailable fraction may have decreased over time. By day 14, the DNAN concentration accounted for only 45% of the SumDNAN soil concentration, indicating substantial DNAN transformation in the presence of earthworms. The highest bioaccumulation factor (BAF; the tissue-to-soil concentration ratio) was 6.2 ± 1.0 kg/kg (dry wt) on day 3 and decreased to 3.8 ± 0.8 kg/kg by day 14. Kinetic studies indicated a BAF of 2.3 kg/kg, based on the earthworm DNAN uptake rate of 2.0 ± 0.24 kg/kg/d, compared with the SumDNAN elimination rate of 0.87 d-1 (half-life = 0.79 d). The compound DNAN has a similar potential to bioaccumulate from soil compared with trinitrotoluene. The NTO concentration in amended soil decreased by 57% from the initial concentration (837 mg NTO/kg dry soil) during 14 d, likely due to the formation of unknown transformation products. The bioaccumulation of NTO was negligible (BAF ≤ 0.018 kg/kg dry wt). Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:1713-1725. © 2021 SETAC. This article has been contributed to by US Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.

Background The ability to produce microbial bioactive compounds makes actinobacteria one of the most explored microbes among prokaryotes. The secondary metabolites of actinobacteria are known for their role in various physiological, cellular, and biological processes. Main body Actinomycetes are widely distributed in natural ecosystem habitats such as soil, rhizosphere soil, actinmycorrhizal plants, hypersaline soil, limestone, freshwater, marine, sponges, volcanic cave—hot spot, desert, air, insects gut, earthworm castings, goat feces, and endophytic actinomycetes. The most important features of microbial bioactive compounds are that they have specific microbial producers: their diverse bioactivities and their unique chemical structures. Actinomycetes represent a source of biologically active secondary metabolites like antibiotics, biopesticide agents, plant growth hormones, antitumor compounds, antiviral agents, pharmacological compounds, pigments, enzymes, enzyme inhibitors, anti-inflammatory compounds, single-cell protein feed, and biosurfactant. Short conclusions Further highlight that compounds derived from actinobacteria can be applied in a wide range of industrial applications in biomedicines and the ecological habitat is under-explored and yet to be investigated for unknown, rare actinomycetes diversity.

Our study aims to investigate all the histological changes that occur in skin tissues of the earthworms that exposure to deltamethrin at concentration (1:2000) g/L. our study is included two groups, the first group exposed to deltamethrin at a concentration (12.5) mg/L while the second group is included normal earthworms (control group). The soil samples were collected from local agricultural land randomly in the Daghara district in the city of Diwaniyah, then adding deltamethrin by distributed to the collected soil samples equally. The experimental group is consists of (20) samples wherever, which showed that the histological changes of the skin of the earthworm that exposure to deltamethrin (12.5) mg/L is included breaking in the cuticle layer, with clear degeneration in the longitudinal and circular smooth muscle fibers. Furthermore, the sub-dermal layer is very thin and destroyed with clear degeneration of the epidermal cells as well as showed slight congestion of the blood vessels under the nerve and a clear breakdown of the cerebral nerve ganglia, while the control group consists of (20) soil samples collected randomly, wherever, demonstrates that the tissue of the skin of the earthworm was naturally without changes, as a normal cuticle layer is observed, the epidermis layer is lined with normal epithelial cells, and the smooth muscle layer appears naturally arranged. In a conclusion, deltamethrin has histopathological effects on skin tissues of the earthworms that make are destroyed and leading to negative effects on the earthworm.

This study assessed the potential of omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFA) enrichment in red earthworm (Eisenia fetida, REW), via the addition of fish oil (FO, anchovy oil) to the culture-compost. FO addition to compost was tested at graded inclusion doses (0, 2.5, 5 and 10 g/100 g compost) and for different timeperiods, up to 96h. Dose, time, as well as dose and time interactions of FO compost enrichment had significant effects on all fatty acids of earthworm bodies. The enrichment with 10 g FO/100 g compost sharply increased DHA levels of the worms (14.01 mol%) within just 24 h, compared to the control group (0.92 mol%). Similar increases (ranging between 10.99 and 15.55 mol%) occurred only after 48 and 96 h in lower FO enrichment levels (2.5 and 5.0 g/100 g compost, respectively). Therefore, it was concluded that, to obtain maximum n-3 LC-PUFA enrichment efficiency in REW, an enrichment period of 24 h is ideal and recommended for the 10 g FO/ 100 g compost, whereas longer enrichment periods (48-96 h) are more suitable for lower levels of FO inclusions (2.5 or 5 g/100 g compost).

The earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae is a well-known source of protein in animal feeding but there is lack of information on its fatty acid profile. This study aimed to determine its nutrient components and fatty acid profile. Earthworms were bred in substrate containing organic matter; peanut powder was added in the experimental group diet. The nutrient components (protein, ash, and minerals) of the adult worms were determined according to the Kjeldahl method and by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The fatty acid profile was determined by gas chromatography / mass spectrometry. The dry-matter protein content significantly increased in worms fed peanut powder (p < 0.05) as did the minerals measured. The main fatty acid families had similar proportions in the groups. In the saturated fatty acids, C12:0 and C18:0 were present in higher proportions in both groups, whereas in monounsaturated fatty acids, C18:1ω9 prevailed. Significant differences (p < 0.05) in polyunsaturated fatty acids were observed between the two groups. An increase in the proportion of ω6 and ω3 was observed in the experimental group compared to the control. This study showed that peanut powder significantly influenced nutrient components of E. eugeniae. The fatty acid profile of this species was similar to that of most animals. Earthworms’ diet can be altered to improve the nutritional value of E. eugeniae.

This study assessed the critical soil characteristics affecting mercury (Hg) bioavailability to the earthworm Eisenia fetida using the diffusive gradient in thin films (DGT) method. The soil samples were collected from a tributary of the Hyeongsan River contaminated with industrial waste and landfill leachates called Gumu Creek. The Hg concentration in the soil had a range of 0.33–170 μg g-1 (average 33 ± 56 μg g-1), and the Hg concentration of earthworms incubated in the soils was 0.83–11 μg g-1 (average 2.9 ± 3.2 μg g-1). When correlation analysis was used to detect the key variables among the soil properties related to Hg accumulation in the soils, earthworms, and resins, the water-holding capacity, which is covaried with the organic matter content, was determined to be a primary factor in increasing Hg accumulation in the soils, earthworms, and resins. However, the experimentally determined earthworm bioaccumulation factor and the DGT accumulation factor were negatively affected by the water-holding capacity. Therefore, the water-holding capacity played a dual role in the Gumu Creek deposits: increasing the soil Hg concentration and decreasing Hg bioavailability and leachability. Further, the DGT–Hg flux was positively correlated with the Hg concentration in earthworms (r = 0.93). Although the earthworm accumulation of Hg is not processed by passive diffusion, this study proves that the DGT method is promising for predicting soil Hg bioavailability to the earthworm E. fetida, and the water-holding capacity simultaneously regulates Hg availability to the DGT and the earthworms.

Greenhouse gas emissions (CO2, N2O, CH4) and chemical, physical and microbiological properties (pH, macro and micronutrients, texture, moisture, exchangeable NH4+, NO3−, total C and N, organic C, microbial biomass C and metabolic coefficient) were monitored in casts of a large, endogeic native Brazilian earthworm species Rhinodrilus alatus and from non-ingested control soil incubated for up to 32 days. Earthworm casts represented a significantly different chemical and microbiological environment, with higher soil moisture, pH, H + Al, exchangeable NH4, Cu, Fe and Mn contents, lower microbial biomass C and higher metabolic quotient (qCO2), but with few differences in CO2, N2O and CH4 emissions compared with non-ingested control soil. Nonetheless, fermenting, methanogenic and nitrate-reducing microbes encountered ideal conditions for sustained anaerobic activity in the clayey, dense and moist castings of R. alatus, maintaining emission of N2O and CH4 and confirming previous results observed using gut contents. The high exchangeable NH4 and H2O contents influenced the oxy-reduction processes, affected GHG emissions and N transformations and modified soil microbial biomass and activity. In addition, selective ingestion concentrates C and N contents in the casts and transformation processes affect the availability of important plant nutrients, topics that deserve further attention, considering the widespread collection of this species for use as fish-bait in Brazil.

El presente estudio buscó determinar la eficiencia de la lombriz de tierra (Lumbricus terrestris) y la lombriz roja californiana (Eisenia foetida) en el tratamiento de las aguas residuales del Distrito de Chachapoyas (Perú). Para ello, se aplicó la adaptación de las dos especies durante un periodo de siete días, luego se inocularon al sistema del lombrifiltro conformado por dos estructuras de madera con cuatro capas, y finalmente se empleó un tanque de almacenamiento de flujo continuo. A fin de determinar la eficiencia de remoción de las especies, se analizó la cantidad de concentración de los parámetros fisicoquímicos y microbiológicos del agua residual que ingresó al proceso de tratamiento. Obteniendo los resultados que la especie EF redujo en un 92% la DBO5, 86% DQO, 78% NT, 84.4% turbidez, 93% pH y 84% en CT a diferencia de la especie LT que obtuvo una reducción del 91% de DBO5, 84% DQO, 77% NT, 83% turbidez, 93% pH y 80% en CT. Se concluyó que la especie EF es más eficiente en la remoción de los contaminantes del agua residual doméstica con un promedio de 87% en comparación con la especie LT que logró un 85% siendo aceptables por el DS N° 004-2017-MINAM.

The vermicomposting potential of waste biomass of potato crops that are generated at the time of harvesting was studied employing Eisenia fetida. The experiment was carried out in pots, and two treatments were applied during the study. In the first treatment, only potato plant biomass (PPB) was taken as the raw materials; whereas in the second treatment, a mixture of PPB with cow dung was engaged in the proportion of 5:1. The vermicomposted materials showed a reduction in C/N ratio, humification index, enhancement in nutrients profiles, ash contents, nitrogen-fixing, phosphate, and potassium solubilizing bacterial population. The macronutrient enhancement in the vermicompost samples was recorded 3.8-4.4-fold for total N, 5-5.6-fold in available P, 1.6-fold in total K, 5.2-6.2-fold in total Ca, and 1.6-fold in total Mg contents. The reduction in C/N was found in the range of 92.5-94.4% in the vermicompost samples. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) images showed higher disintegration in the vermicompost products when compared with initial raw material and compost samples. The addition of cow dung significantly enhanced the quality and quantity of vermicompost final products besides positively affecting the earthworm population and biomass by the end of 60 days of experimental trials.

In this study, the effects of zinc nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) and ions (ZnCl2) on the mortality, growth, maturation, and cellular respiration of the earthworm Eisenia andrei were assessed. Earthworms were individually exposed for 98 days, starting from the juvenile stage, to soils contaminated with either ZnO-NPs or ZnCl2 (125, 250, 500 and 1000 mg Zn kg−1 dry weight (dw)). Exposure to the highest-concentration ionic treatments (500 and 1000 mg kg−1) caused 100% mortality, while for other treatments, mortality did not exceed 15% at the end of exposure. Compared to the control treatment, both 125–1000 mg kg−1 ZnO-NPs and 125 or 250 mg kg−1 ZnCl2 stimulated earthworm growth, which might be due to a hormetic effect. ZnO-NPs and ZnCl2 caused different responses at medium Zn concentrations (250 and 500 mg kg−1): earthworms exposed to ionic treatment at 250 mg kg−1 were characterized by a significantly lower growth constant, lower cellular respiration rate, later inflection point, and higher final body weight than those exposed to ZnO-NPs treatments at the same (250 mg kg−1) or twice as high (500 mg kg−1) nominal Zn concentrations. However, differences were not observed in all examined parameters between the studied forms when the highest-concentration ZnO-NPs treatment was compared with the lowest-concentration ionic treatment, which was likely due to the same levels of available Zn concentrations in those treatments. Overall, different growth and maturation strategies accompanied by pronounced differences in cellular respiration were adopted by earthworms exposed to low and medium levels of either ZnO-NPs or ZnCl2.

Purpose To build a more holistic understanding of soil pH change we assessed the synchronised effects of a contrived soil pH change on soil chemistry, vegetation growth and nutrition, and soil faunal abundance and diversity. Methods We established a fifteen year old field experiment with a contrived pH gradient (pH 4.3 to 6.3) and measured the effect on soil chemistry, plant biomass and elemental composition and the impact of these changes on soil fauna (earthworms, nematodes, rotifers and tardigrades) and biological indices (based on ecological group structures of earthworms and nematodes). A single 20 × 20 × 20 cm soil block was excavated from each sample site to directly attribute biotic parameters in the block to the abiotic (soil) conditions. Results Acidification affected the extractable concentrations of Al, Ca, Mn and P and the C:N ratio of the soil and caused a reduction in plant Ca (rs for pH vs Ca = 0.804 p s = −0.450 p = 0.019), along with significant decrease in root:shoot ratio (rs = 0.638, p s = 0.606, p s = −0.515, p Conclusion Soil pH influenced the mobility of Ca, Al, Mn and P, which in turn has impacted on plant tissue chemistry and plant biomass ratios. Linked changes in soil chemistry and vegetation had a corresponding effect on the abundance and diversity of nematodes and earthworms in the soil blocks.

Background and aim Plant pathogenic and mycotoxin-producing Fusarium species are globally widespread and lead to large annual yield losses in maize production (ecosystem disservice). Systems with reduced tillage and mulching are particularly under threat. In the present study, the bioregulatory performance (ecosystem service) of the common earthworm species Lumbricus terrestris was analysed regarding the suppression of three economically relevant Fusarium species, and the reduction of their mycotoxins in the maize mulch layer, taking into account the size of maize residues. Methods A mesocosm field experiment was conducted in a reduced tillage long-term field trial on loam soil. Artificially Fusarium-infected maize residues of two size classes were used as a mulch layer. Impacts of the earthworm species on DNA amounts of Fusarium graminearum, F. culmorum, and F. verticillioides and concentrations of the mycotoxins deoxynivalenol (DON), 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-AcDON), and zearalenone (ZEN) were analysed. Results The results reflect that Fusarium regulation by L. terrestris was species-specific and covered the whole spectrum from suppression (F. graminearum) to slight promotion (F. verticillioides). Regarding the mycotoxins, a significant acceleration of the degradation of all three toxins was detected. Fine chopping of the chaff (< 2 cm) did not significantly alter the earthworms’ regulatory capacity. Conclusion While L. terrestris can shift the ecosystem service/disservice balance in both directions with respect to Fusarium regulation, it shifts it towards ecosystem services with respect to mycotoxin degradation. In synergy with adapted agricultural management, this natural bottom-up effect can help to keep soils healthy for sustainable production in the long run.

The present study aimed to explore the effect of a range of moisture content levels, including 65%, 72%, and 78%, on physicochemical properties and microfauna communities during vermicomposting of municipal sludge. As a result, death of perishable microfauna together with the degradation of organic matter was the dominant response in all groups in the early period of vermicomposting, while the effects of moisture content levels on various physiochemical parameters did not appear until the mid-later period. After the treatment with 78% moisture content, the content of mineral nitrogen was 1.186 g/kg in the sludge, with a 9.36 × 103 ind./g of microfauna quantity and 663.01 g of earthworm biomass. The values of these three measurements in 78% group were significantly higher than other two groups (p < 0.05), indicating that the effects of 78% moisture content were more pronounced for promoting nitrogen mineralization as well as microfauna and earthworms growth during vermicomposting. Specifically, testate amoebae were strongly associated with nitrification process, while nematodes were related to ammonification and phosphorus mineralization, of which testate amoebae had great potential of being bioindicators during vermicomposting of municipal sludge.

A disturbance in the normal physiology of soil macroinvertebrates can cause toxic impacts and/or disruption in mechanisms and rates of respiration. In this work, respiration rates of earthworms exp...

Data concerning the toxicity of the transformation products of some pesticides considered emerging contaminants are still incipient. This study aimed to evaluate acute (filter paper contact and avoidance test) and chronic (assays carried out in Red yellow Ultisoil) effects of the transformation products of the fungicide imazalil (IMZ) by heterogeneous photocatalysis (TiO2/UV) in Eisenia andrei. Some endpoints, i.e. biomass variation, disorder in reproduction and avoidance behavior, cytotoxicity (cell density and feasibility), and coelomic fluid (eleocytes and amoebocytes, immune cell) and antioxidant system (catalase (CAT) and glutathione S-transferase (GST)) changes were assessed. The studied degradation times (6, 18, 35 and 90 min) represented 70; 35; 10 and 0% of the initial IMZ concentration (5 mg L−1). No lethality and no significant difference in biomass variations were noted in the acute contact test. Decreased GST and increased CAT activities, as well as cell typing alterations and decreased cell viability and density detected at the 90-min degradation timepoint (PDT-90) indicate direct cytotoxic IMZ transformation product effects. In the avoidance test, no significant earthworm repulsion or attraction was observed. PDT-90 transformation products were responsible for losses in biomass and a reduction in the number of earthworm cocoons and juveniles present in soil. No cytotoxic effects were observed in the long term, although increased CAT and decreased GST activities were observed. Investigations on the relative toxicity of IMZ transformation products are relevant for future discussions regarding the environmental treatment, control and destination of this compound and its derivatives.

We investigated the behavioural and oxidative stress responses in the earthworm, Nsukkadrilus mbae on exposure to lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) contaminated soils. This was because the response of thi...

International audience; Copper has been successfully used in the sulfate form as a fungicide to control grapevine diseases since 150 years, yet high Cu accumulation in vineyards may alter soil life. Although actual Cu additions are about tenfold lower than 50 years ago, the use of Cu in the context of the agroecological transition is still debated. Indeed, copper is one of the rare pesticides allowed for organic farming. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis on Cu ecotoxicity by selecting 19 articles out of 300 articles relevant to copper and soil biological quality. Results show that microbial activity decreased by 30% when more than 400 kg of Cu was applied yearly per ha. Nematodes abundance remained unchanged for copper application up to 3200 kg/ha/year. Collembola and enchytraeid reproduction declined by 50% after application of 400 and 1895 kg Cu/ha/year, respectively. Earthworm biomass was reduced by 15% after application of 200 kgCu/ha/year. For soil Cu levels higher than 200 kg Cu/ha, microbial respiration decreased by 50% and no effect was observed on collembola. Overall, while toxicity is observed, the corresponding literature investigations involved Cu levels that are at least 50 times higher than the dose of 4 kg Cu/ha/year currently authorized by the European Commission for viticulture. As a consequence, applying copper at 4 kg/ha/year should not modify substantially soil biological quality and functions.

Little is known about the bioaccumulation potential of manufactured nanomaterials (MNs). For traditional chemicals, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Test Guideline (TG) 305, bioaccumulation in fish is often used. However, for MNs, there are no approved processes to trigger or waive this test, or consider alternatives to vertebrate animals. The aim of the present study was to conduct a meta-analysis of existing data sets on particle properties and bioaccumulation in earthworms to understand what particle metrics could be used as a trigger for bioaccumulation testing. An apparent steady state tissue concentration of metal from MNs exposure in the earthworm (Eisenia fetida) was evident following exposures to Ag nanoparticles (NPs), CuO NPs and CdTe quantum dots (QDs). This allowed the derivation of nano bioaccumulation factors (nBAFs), calculated using soil and earthworm tissue metal concentrations. A prediction equation using all the particle metrics correlated with BAFs was possible. Similarly, nano biomagnification factors (nBMFs) were calculated in the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) tissue, relative to the concentration of total metals in the fish diet. Pearson's correlations were found to be significant, with p < 0.05 for nBMFs for the liver, mid intestine, hind intestine and kidney relative to the earthworm tissue nBAFs. Together these data indicate that bioaccumulation measurements in earthworms for metallic MNs could be predictive of those values in fish, and that there is scope to predict the bioaccumulation potential of MNs with confidence from a few simple particle metrics.