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The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicological responses of earthworm ( Eisenia fetida) induced by field-contaminated, metal-polluted soils. Biochemical responses and DNA damage of earthworm exposed to two multi-metal-contaminated soils in a steel industry park and a natural reference soil in Zijin Mountain for 2, 7, 14, and 28 days were studied. Results showed that three enzyme activities, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and cellulase, in earthworm in metal-contaminated soils were significantly different from those of the reference soil. Cellulase and AChE were more sensitive than SOD to soil contamination. The Olive tail moment of the comet assay after 2-day exposure increased 56.5 and 552.0 % in two contaminated soils, respectively, compared to the reference soil. Our findings show that cellulase and DNA damage levels can be used as potential biomarkers for exposure of earthworm to metal-polluted soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecotoxicity of nanoparticles has received growing attention in recent years. This study investigated the influence of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NP) on earthworm Eisenia fetida. The experiment was performed with five test groups: control (without Ag-NP), 10 nm Ag-NP groups (20, 100 or 500 mg kg−1) and positive control (787 mg kg−1 AgNO3). After 14-day acute exposure, activities of various enzymes, including glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), acid phosphatase (AP), and Na+, K+-ATPase were determined. Effects of Ag-NP with different sizes (10 and 80 nm) were also tested. Data showed that the activity of GR was significantly lower at 500 mg kg−1. The activities of AP and Na+, K+-ATPase were inhibited following the increase of Ag-NP concentration. When treated with Ag-NP with different sizes, activities of AP and Na+, K+-ATPase of the 10 nm group were significantly lower than the control group, but those of the 80 nm group were similar to the control group. Data indicate that Ag-NP may be harmful to the earthworm E. fetida at 500 mg kg−1, and the toxicity of Ag-NP with 10 nm size is greater than 80 nm. In addition, AP and Na+, K+-ATPase are sensitive biomakers to the effects of Ag-NP. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]