We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Evaluation of Bioaccumulation and Toxicity of Bisphenol-A and Phthalates on Earthworm and Nitrifying Bacteria from Soil Collected in Waste Management Landfill, Kaduna State, Nigeria
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers evaluated the bioaccumulation and toxicity of bisphenol-A (BPA) and phthalates in earthworms exposed through contaminated soil, measuring internal concentrations and biochemical stress responses. Both compounds accumulated in earthworm tissues and induced oxidative stress and reproductive effects, confirming that soil-dwelling organisms are exposed to these plastic-associated endocrine disruptors through terrestrial pathways.
Additives such as bisphenol-A (BPA) and phthalates are added to plastics during production processes in order to improve their properties. Since they are not covalently bound but simply mixed with the plastic polymer. They disperse easily in the environment, especially when plastic products are degraded into microplatics. Hence, the objective of this paper was to evaluate bioaccumulation and toxicity of bisphenol-A and phthalates on earthworm (Apporrectoda ionga) and nitrifying bacteria from soil collected in Waste management landfill, Kaduna Sate, Nigeria using standard techniques. Data obtained shows that Bisphenol A, Diethytlphalate, Dimethylphthalate and Diethylhexylphalate were detected in the plastic enriched compositing soil while only bisphenol A was detected in the control soil sample. The physico-chemical analysis of the composted soil and the control had electrical conductivity 254.00, 61.00us/cm, chloride 66.15, 16.00mg/kg, potassium 171.5, 4.25mg/kg, nickel 1.00, 0.25mg/kg, Iron 17.40, 3.11mg/kg, Zinc 2.90, 0.67mg/kg, moisture 5.32, 7.21% total organic carbon 5.26, 0.71% and total nitrogen 0.52, 0.07% respectively. The bacteriological analysis for composted soil and control soil growth ranging from 4.0 x 103+0.12 to 3.5x103+104cfu/g and 3.2x103+0.4 to 2.8x103+0.10 respectively. There was significant difference (p<0.05) in the bacteria counts from the control soil sample. The toxicity analysis revealed higher percentage utilization of nitrite with LC50 values of 25.04, 23.93, 15.9 and 13.39 and higher bacteria inhibition with EC50 values of 52.00, 81.72, 111.31 and 123.13. The results suggest that autotrophic transformation by nitrifying bacteria which enhances soil fertility may be hindered in an ecosystem polluted with these plasticizers as nitrification process will reduced. Percentage survival rate of earth worms decreased with increase in plastic concentration (75.47-20.93%).
More Papers Like This
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.
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.
Negligible effects of microplastics on animal fitness and HOC bioaccumulation in earthworm Eisenia fetida in soil
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed earthworms to polyethylene and polystyrene microplastics at concentrations up to 20 percent of soil dry weight and measured oxidative stress biomarkers. While the highest concentration caused some biochemical changes, no significant effects were observed at 10 percent or below, which covers most realistic environmental scenarios. The study also found that microplastics reduced the bioaccumulation of PAHs and PCBs in earthworm tissues, suggesting that the particles may actually limit the uptake of certain organic pollutants in soil organisms.
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.
Ecotoxicological Evaluation of Earthworm (Eisenia fetida) Induced by Enrofloxacin and Di-(2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that combined exposure to the antibiotic enrofloxacin and the plasticizer DEHP caused synergistic toxicity in earthworms, producing greater oxidative stress, DNA damage, and digestive enzyme inhibition than either contaminant alone.
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.