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From conflicting studies to consistent signals: Microplastics increase mortality, oxidative stress and dose-related DNA damage in earthworms – A systematic review and meta-analysis
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This review combined results from 40 existing studies on earthworms exposed to microplastics. Higher microplastic exposure was linked to increased death rates past a certain level, dose-related DNA damage, and mixed effects on oxidative stress markers across the studies.
This registration archives the data, analysis code, and manuscript for a meta-analysis examining the toxicological effects of microplastic exposure on the earthworm Eisenia fetida. The study synthesizes findings from 40 primary studies across three outcome domains: (1) mortality, analyzed via Mantel–Haenszel odds ratios with sensitivity analysis using multilevel random-effects models; (2) oxidative stress biomarkers (including ROS, POD, LPO, MDA, AChE, and 8-OHdG), analyzed via log response ratios (lnRR) in multilevel random-effects models; and (3) genotoxicity, assessed through comet assay endpoints (%Tail DNA and Olive Tail Moment). Dose-response and exposure-duration relationships were examined via meta-regression, heterogeneity was quantified using the I² index, and publication bias was assessed using Egger's regression test. Results indicate a mortality threshold effect and dose-dependent genotoxicity, with heterogeneous responses across oxidative stress biomarkers. This registration includes the finalized manuscript, supplementary materials (including the full primary-study reference table), all R analysis scripts, and the underlying effect-size datasets, to support transparency and reproducibility.
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Adverse effects of microplastics on earthworms: A critical review
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This critical review of 65 publications summarized the adverse effects of microplastics on earthworms, finding impacts on growth, behavior, oxidative stress, gene expression, and gut microbiota, with particle size, concentration, and co-occurring pollutants influencing toxicity outcomes.
Oxidative stress, energy metabolism and molecular responses of earthworms (Eisenia fetida) exposed to low-density polyethylene microplastics
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Researchers exposed earthworms to various concentrations of low-density polyethylene microplastics for 28 days and measured oxidative stress, energy metabolism, and molecular responses. The study found dose-dependent increases in oxidative damage markers and alterations in energy reserves, suggesting that microplastic contamination in soils can trigger measurable physiological stress in soil invertebrates.
Transcriptomic and metabolic responses of earthworms to contaminated soil with polypropylene and polyethylene microplastics at environmentally relevant concentrations
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Researchers studied how environmentally realistic concentrations of polypropylene and polyethylene microplastics affect earthworms at the molecular level. They found that both plastic types triggered oxidative stress, damaged digestive and immune systems, disrupted lipid metabolism, and altered the earthworms' ability to regulate water balance. The study suggests that even at concentrations commonly found in the environment, microplastic-contaminated soil poses measurable health risks to earthworms.
Understanding the harmful effects of polyethylene microplastics on Eisenia fetida: A toxicological evaluation
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Earthworms (Eisenia fetida) exposed to increasing concentrations of polyethylene microplastics in soil showed lower body weight, reduced reproductive output, and disrupted antioxidant defenses — with oxidative stress markers climbing nearly 1.3-fold at the highest dose. These findings confirm that microplastic pollution degrades soil ecosystem health at concentrations that could plausibly occur in contaminated agricultural land.
Meta-analysis reveals contrasting effects of biodegradable and conventional microplastics on earthworm fitness, physiology, and gut microbiota
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A large analysis of over 100 studies found that both regular plastic pollution and "biodegradable" plastics harm earthworms, shrinking their survival, growth, and gut bacteria, while causing cell damage from oxidative stress. The key takeaway: switching to biodegradable plastics doesn't actually protect these important soil creatures, so it's not a guilt-free fix. Since earthworms keep soil healthy for growing our food, this matters for the whole food chain, including us, and it's a reminder that "biodegradable" labels don't always mean "harmless."
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