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Ecotoxicological Effects of Commercial Microplastics on Earthworm Eisenia fetida (Savigny, 1826) (Clitellata; Lumbricidae)
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Researchers exposed earthworms to different concentrations of commercial glitter, a common source of primary microplastics, and found that higher concentrations increased death rates and reduced reproduction. The earthworms did not avoid microplastic-contaminated soil, meaning they continued to ingest the particles, which accumulated throughout their digestive systems. Since earthworms are a key part of soil food webs, microplastic buildup in their bodies could transfer plastic particles to birds, fish, and other animals higher up the food chain.
As soil invertebrates with a unique digestive system, earthworms are regularly used as bioindicators and test organisms. Due to their burrowing activity and casting, earthworms are involved in the structuring of the soil. However, this way of life exposes them to different pollutants, including microplastic particles. Although the use of plastics is economically justified, it has a major impact on living organisms. In this study, the influence of different concentrations (2.5%, 5%, and 7% (w/w)) of commercial glitter as a primary source of microplastics (MPs) on mortality, growth, cocoon production, avoidance behavior, and bioaccumulation ability during a four-week exposure of the earthworm species Eisenia fetida was investigated. The mortality was higher at 5% and 7% MPs in the soil than at 2.5% and in the control (0%) after 28 days, and the number of cocoons and growth rate decreased with an increasing MP concentration. However, the earthworms did not avoid the soil with MPs. Furthermore, the dissection of the digestive system enabled the identification of MP distribution. The sections of the digestive system were additionally examined under a fluorescence microscope. The results indicated that non-selective feeding enabled the input of MPs into the earthworm’s body and, thus, into food webs.
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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 growth responses of Eisenia fetida (Savigny 1826) exposed to microplastics
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This Turkish study examined the effects of microplastics on growth parameters of the earthworm Eisenia fetida in laboratory conditions. Researchers found that microplastic exposure affected earthworm growth rates, raising concerns about soil ecosystem health given earthworms' critical role in soil function.
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.
Toxicity and behavioral responses of environmentally relevant microplastics in earthworms ( Eisenia fetida ): Ingestion, survival, reproduction, and avoidance across common polymer types
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Scientists tested how earthworms respond to microplastic pollution in soil, and found that even at high plastic levels, the worms didn't avoid contaminated soil, didn't get sick, reproduced normally, and barely absorbed the plastic particles into their bodies. This is good news for soil health and the food chain, since earthworms are key to healthy dirt and crops—but it doesn't mean microplastics are harmless overall, just that this particular worm species seems resilient to them under the tested conditions.
Microplastics in the Terrestrial Ecosystem: Implications forLumbricus terrestris(Oligochaeta, Lumbricidae)
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This study is one of the first to investigate microplastic effects on a terrestrial organism, exposing earthworms to polyethylene particles mixed into leaf litter at various concentrations. Researchers found that while the earthworms survived all exposure levels, those exposed to the highest concentrations showed significant weight loss over the experimental period. The findings suggest that microplastic contamination of soils could affect the health and functioning of earthworms, which play a vital role in maintaining soil quality.
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