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Chronic and transgenerational effects of polyethylene microplastics at environmentally relevant concentrations in earthworms
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Researchers evaluated the effects of polyethylene microplastics at environmentally relevant concentrations on earthworms across two generations. The study found that exposure at 0.5% concentration caused over 70% reduction in reproduction for both parent and offspring generations, significant DNA damage, and accumulation of phthalate additives released from the plastic particles.
Microplastics are introduced into the agroecosystem through the application of wastewater and biosolids, plastic mulch films, greenhouse materials, and soil conditioners. Microplastics accumulation can alter the soil ecosystem and cause adverse effects on soil organisms. Therefore, this study for the first time evaluated the acute and chronic effects of pure and commercial polyethylene microplastics (PEMP) at environmentally relevant concentrations (0.01–0.5%) on earthworms (Eisenia fetida). Exposure to PEMP in the soil at 0.5 % concentration caused ≥70% reduction in earthworm reproduction for both parents (F0) and first filial (F1) generations compared to PEMP unamended control soil. Moreover, significant DNA damage was observed in F0 generations after 28 days. Also, this study demonstrated the release of phthalates used as additives in plastic and their accumulation by earthworms exposed to PEMP-amended soils. Thus the findings of this study have great implications for the risk assessment of PEMPs in the environment.
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Multigenerational growth inhibition and oxidative stress of polystyrene micro(nano)plastics on earthworms (Eisenia fetida)
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Researchers exposed earthworms to polystyrene nano- and microplastics across two generations, finding both particle types reduced offspring numbers by 23–39%, disrupted reproductive tissue structure, and caused oxidative stress, with nanoplastics producing more severe multigenerational effects.
Chronic and Transgenerational Effects of Polystyrene Microplastics at Environmentally Relevant Concentrations in Earthworms (Eisenia fetida)
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Researchers studied the chronic and transgenerational effects of polystyrene microplastics on earthworms (Eisenia fetida) at environmentally relevant concentrations. While microplastics showed no acute toxicity in terms of mortality, they adversely affected reproduction in both parent and first-generation offspring, with over 50% reduction in juvenile production, suggesting that long-term microplastic exposure may impact soil organism populations across generations.
Cross-Generational Exposure to Low-Density Polyethylene Microplastics Induced Hyperactive Responses in Eisenia fetida Offsprings
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Researchers exposed two generations of earthworms to polyethylene microplastics in soil and found that the offspring generation showed heightened stress responses even beyond what was seen in the parent generation. The parent worms experienced reduced reproduction and growth, while their offspring showed overactive antioxidant defenses and disrupted nervous system signaling. The study suggests that microplastic contamination in agricultural soils may have compounding effects across generations of soil organisms.
Effects of conventional and biodegradable microplastics on earthworm Eisenia andrei in two generations
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Researchers exposed earthworms (Eisenia andrei) to conventional polyethylene and biodegradable PBAT mulching film microplastics across two generations (7 months) and found that both types caused reproductive and growth effects, with impacts accumulating across generations under environmentally relevant concentrations.
Transcriptomic and metabolic responses of earthworms to contaminated soil with polypropylene and polyethylene microplastics at environmentally relevant concentrations
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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.
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