We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Effects of polyvinyl chloride and low-density polyethylene microplastics on oxidative stress and mitochondria function of earthworm (Eisenia fetida)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed earthworms to PVC and polyethylene microplastics in soil and measured the effects on oxidative stress and mitochondrial function. Both plastic types caused significant cellular damage, with PVC proving more harmful by generating higher levels of reactive oxygen species and more severely disrupting the energy-producing mitochondria. The study provides evidence that microplastic accumulation in agricultural soils could harm the earthworms that play a critical role in maintaining soil health.
Plastics are widely used worldwide due to their convenience. However, microplastics (MPs) accumulation poses a serious threat to ecosystem health. Therefore, understanding the effects of MPs on living organisms within their native ecosystem is crucial. Previous studies have primarily focused on the impacts of MPs in aquatic environments, whereas the effects of MPs on terrestrial ecosystems have remained largely understudied. Therefore, our study assessed the impacts of MPs on soil ecosystems by characterizing their toxic effects on earthworms (Eisenia fetida). Here, we exposed earthworms to two representative plastics within soil environments: polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE). Given the known link between MPs and oxidative stress, we next quantified oxidative stress markers and mitochondrial function to assess the effects of MPs on the redox metabolism of earthworms. Mitochondria are crucial metabolic organelles that generate reactive oxygen species via uncontrolled ATP production. Our findings demonstrated that MPs exert different effects depending on their type. Neither the PVC-exposed groups nor the LDPE-exposed groups exhibited changes in oxidative stress, as worked by the action of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH). While treatment of the two types of MP did not significantly affect the amount of reactive oxygen species/reactive nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) generated, PVC exhibited a more pronounced effect on antioxidant system compared to LDPE. However, mitochondrial function was markedly decreased in the group exposed to high LDPE concentrations, suggesting that the examined LDPE concentrations were too low to activate compensatory mechanisms. Collectively, our findings demonstrated that exposure of MPs not only influences the antioxidant defense mechanisms of earthworms but also alters their mitochondrial function depending on their types.
More Papers Like This
Oxidative stress, energy metabolism and molecular responses of earthworms (Eisenia fetida) exposed to low-density polyethylene microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
Understanding the harmful effects of polyethylene microplastics on Eisenia fetida: A toxicological evaluation
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
Effects of polyethylene microplastics stress on soil physicochemical properties mediated by earthworm Eisenia fetida
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
Transcriptomic and metabolic responses of earthworms to contaminated soil with polypropylene and polyethylene microplastics at environmentally relevant concentrations
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
Toxicological effects of polystyrene microplastics on earthworm (Eisenia fetida)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed earthworms to two sizes of polystyrene microplastics in soil for 14 days and found evidence of intestinal cell damage, oxidative stress, and DNA damage. The larger particles accumulated more in earthworm intestines, while both sizes triggered changes in key antioxidant markers. The study demonstrates that microplastic contamination in soil can cause measurable biological harm to important soil organisms.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.