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Effect of Microplastic Exposure on Earthworms Eisenia Fetida and Eudrilus Eugeniae
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Scientists exposed earthworms to microplastics (tiny plastic particles) and found they lost weight, reproduced less, and suffered damage to their skin and muscles. While this study looked at soil health rather than humans directly, it matters because earthworms are essential for healthy soil that grows our food—and it adds to growing evidence that microplastics, which are now found throughout our environment and food chain, can harm living organisms at a biological level.
The present study was conducted to assess the effect of different concentrations of microplastics MPs-110µg, MPs-120µg, MPs-130µg, MPs-140µg on the earthworms, Eisenia fetida and Eudrilus eugeniae for 30 days. It was observed that there was a significant decrease in the body weight of the earthworms when treated with different concentrations of microplastics. There was a significant decrease in the reproduction rate such as decrease in cocoon production as well as decrease in the number of juveniles. Morphological changes like coiling of the body and tail were also observed. Furthermore, the histopathological changes observed were thinning in the muscular layer and epidermis layer. There was damage to the cuticle. In conclusion, the study suggests that microplastics may have a negative effect on the growth and reproductive abilities of earthworms and its survival itself.
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Effects of polyethylene microplastics stress on soil physicochemical properties mediated by earthworm Eisenia fetida
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Researchers exposed earthworms to polyethylene microplastics of two sizes and found that smaller particles (13 micrometers) were more toxic than larger ones (130 micrometers), reducing survival and growth more severely. The microplastics caused oxidative stress in the worms and altered key soil properties including pH and organic carbon content. Since earthworms play a vital role in maintaining healthy soil for agriculture, this damage could affect soil quality and ultimately the food grown in microplastic-contaminated farmland.
Eco-toxicological Impact of Polypropylene Microplastics on the Earthworm Lampito mauritii: Effects on Growth and Vital Biomarkers
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Scientists found that polypropylene microplastics, a common plastic used in packaging and textiles, harm earthworms by reducing their body weight, reproduction, and causing cell stress at high exposure levels. Since earthworms are vital for healthy soil that grows our food, this suggests plastic pollution could quietly damage the ecosystems we depend on for agriculture.
Effects of Polyethylene Microplastics in Agricultural Soil on Eisenia fetida (Annelida: Oligochaeta) Behavior, Biomass, and Mortality
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Scientists tested how polyethylene microplastics in agricultural soil affected the behavior, body mass, and survival of the earthworm Eisenia fetida. Researchers found that earthworms actively avoided soil contaminated with microplastics and experienced changes in biomass at higher concentrations. The study suggests that microplastic pollution in farmland could negatively affect soil-dwelling organisms that play a key role in maintaining soil health.
The effects of polyethylene microplastics on the growth, reproduction, metabolic enzymes, and metabolomics of earthworms Eisenia fetida
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This study exposed earthworms to polyethylene microplastics in soil for 60 days and found that even when the worms appeared physically healthy, their internal enzyme systems and metabolism were significantly disrupted. The damage included signs of neurotoxicity, oxidative stress, and reduced ability to break down harmful substances. Since earthworms are essential for soil health and crop growth, this disruption could indirectly affect the quality of food humans eat.
The effect of microplastics on terrestrial and aquatic organisms.
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Scientists tested how tiny plastic particles (microplastics) affect soil creatures like earthworms and water-dwelling organisms like amphipods. They found that high levels of microplastics reduced reproduction in earthworms and other soil critters, and that plastic particles could pass from plants to the animals that eat them, though only in small amounts. This matters because it shows microplastics can move up the food chain, raising questions about how much of this pollution might eventually make its way into the food humans eat, too.
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