Microplastics Enhanced the Bioavailability and Toxicity of (Semi-)Metal in Soil Earthworm Eisenia Fetida

Transfer and distribution of heavy metals in soil environment: the involvement of sorbents, microplastics, and earthworms

Effects of Micro-Nanoplastics Exposure to Earthworms in the Soil System

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Researchers investigated how micro- and nanoplastic exposure affects earthworms in soil systems, examining toxicity mechanisms and interactions with co-occurring heavy metals and other contaminants. The findings indicate that MNP contamination can impair soil productivity and earthworm health, threatening the foundation of terrestrial food webs.

The Potential Concentration-Dependent Effects of Tire Microplastics on the Earthworm Eisenia fetida

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Researchers exposing earthworms (Eisenia fetida) to tire-derived microplastics at four concentrations found significant increases in antioxidant enzyme activity — including catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase — indicating oxidative stress and immune system activation at environmentally relevant exposure levels.

Low-density polyethylene microplastics partially alleviate the ecotoxicological effects induced by cadmium exposure on the earthworm Eisenia fetida

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A controlled soil experiment found that low-density polyethylene microplastics combined with cadmium did not worsen cadmium toxicity to earthworms and actually alleviated cadmium-induced DNA damage in coelomocytes, while LDPE alone had minimal effects on earthworm survival or reproduction. This counterintuitive finding suggests microplastic-metal interactions in soil are complex and not always additive, complicating risk assessments for contaminated agricultural soils.

Toxicological Effects of Micro and Nanoplastics on Soil Fauna: Current Research, Advances, and Future Outlook

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Researchers reviewed the toxic effects of microplastics and nanoplastics on soil-dwelling organisms such as earthworms and insects, finding that these particles can disrupt reproduction, growth, and survival, with potential ripple effects for soil health and food production.