We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Uptake of Potentially Toxic Elements in Microplastic-Contaminated Soils: A Controlled Laboratory Study Using Eisenia Fetida
Summary
Researchers exposed earthworms to tire-derived microplastics in soil and found that levels above 100 mg/g caused significant buildup of toxic heavy metals — including chromium, lead, tin, and zinc — inside the worms' bodies. This shows microplastics act as carriers that help move harmful metals from soil into living organisms.
Background: Earthworms are known to respond quickly to various environmental stressors.The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between varying levels of tire-derived microplastic (TMP) exposure and the accumulation of specific heavy metals in the earthworm Eisenia fetida.Methods: We assessed the accumulation of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), tin (Sn), aluminum (Al), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and molybdenum (Mo) in Eisenia fetida through a 14-day controlled exposure to TMP concentrations of 0, 10, 50, 100, and 200 mg/g dry artificial soil, with three replications.Results: The accumulation of Cr, Sn, Al, Pb, Zn, and Mo increased significantly with TMP concentrations exceeding 100 mg/g.The concentration of Cd remained statistically similar in TMP concentrations above 50 mg/g, while a significant increase in Zn concentration was observed at TMP levels higher than 100 mg/g.The correlation coefficients between Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) concentration in the species and inhabited soil were negative and statistically significant for Cd (p-value < 0.05), Al (pvalue < 0.01), and Mo (p-value < 0.05), suggesting a depletion of PTEs from the soil as the earthworms accumulated higher concentrations.Maximum levels reached 130.44 4.43 g/L for Sn, 2.46 1.74 mg/L for Zn, and 0.057 0.006 mg/L for Cr in the 200 mg TMP exposures. Conclusion:This study used artificial soil samples, and the impact of soil physicochemical characteristics on the mobility and bioavailability of MP-associated PTEs remains an area open for future investigation.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Cadmium and copper absorption by Eisenia fetida in the presence of different concentrations of microplastics
Researchers exposed earthworms (Eisenia fetida) to soil containing tire-derived microplastics alongside heavy metals cadmium and copper, finding that the microplastics increased the worms' uptake of both toxic metals. The results suggest that microplastics in soil act as carriers that make heavy metal contamination more bioavailable and dangerous for soil-dwelling organisms.
Effect of Microplastics on the Bioavailability of (Semi-)Metals in the Soil Earthworm Eisenia fetida
Researchers studied how polystyrene microplastics affect the uptake of cadmium and arsenic by earthworms in paddy soil. They found that microplastics altered the soil chemistry in ways that changed how much of these metals the earthworms absorbed, with effects varying by metal type and concentration. The study suggests that microplastics in contaminated agricultural soils can influence how toxic metals move through the food chain.
Ecotoxicological effects of micronized car tire wear particles and their heavy metals on the earthworm (Eisenia fetida) in soil
Researchers exposed earthworms to microplastics from ground-up car tires at various concentrations and sizes over 14 and 28 days. They found that the worms preferentially consumed smaller particles, which led to increased heavy metal accumulation and significant signs of oxidative stress at higher concentrations. The study highlights that tire-derived microplastics in soil can harm terrestrial organisms through both physical ingestion and the release of associated toxic metals.
Impacts of polyethylene microplastics on bioavailability and toxicity of metals in soil
Researchers studied how polyethylene microplastics affect the bioavailability and toxicity of copper and nickel in soil using earthworms as test organisms. They found that adding microplastics to contaminated soil increased the bioavailability of the metals and enhanced their toxic effects on the earthworms. The study suggests that microplastics in soil can worsen heavy metal pollution by making metals more accessible and harmful to soil-dwelling organisms.
Microplastics impact the accumulation of metals in earthworms by changing the gut bacterial communities
Researchers exposed earthworms to three sizes of polystyrene microplastics (0.1, 10, and 100 micrometers) to study effects on metal accumulation and gut bacteria. The study found that microplastics reduced nickel and lead accumulation in earthworms while significantly altering gut bacterial communities. The results suggest that microplastics influence heavy metal bioavailability in soil organisms by changing gut microbiome composition.