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How Can Nanoplastics Affect the Survival, Reproduction, and Behaviour of the Soil Model Enchytraeus crypticus?
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Researchers tested how polystyrene nanoplastics affect survival, reproduction, and behavior of a soil worm (Enchytraeus crypticus) across a range of concentrations. They found that nanoplastics impair reproduction and trigger avoidance behavior in this soil-dwelling organism, pointing to ecological risks in contaminated soils.
Nanoplastics (NPls) are ubiquitous in terrestrial environments, with numerous consequences for biodiversity and ecosystems. Research is urgently required to clarify the NPls environmental behaviour, fate and ecotoxicological effects to soil ecosystems. The aim of this research was to assess and comprehend the effects of polystyrene NPls to the terrestrial species Enchytraeus crypticus using survival, reproduction and avoidance behaviour as endpoints. A range of concentrations, 0.015 to 1500 mg NPls/kg LUFA 2.2 (Landwirtschaftliche Untersuchungs- und Forschungsanstalt Speyer, Germany) soil, was tested. Due to the effect of tween 20 and sodium azide (NaN3) on the NPls dispersion, the effects of these compounds were also assessed separately. After 21 d, 1200 and 1500 mg/kg NPls dispersion had significant effects on the organism survival and/or reproduction. However, these effects may be mainly associated with tween 20 and NaN3 present in the NPls dispersion and not with NPls themselves. After 48 h, there was a tendency of the organisms to avoid the NPls spiked soils, being this response significant at 0.015 mg/kg although a reduced avoidance behaviour was observed as NPls concentration increased. The present study provides screening data on the effects of NPls, alone and considering the presence of other compounds like the solvents, which is essential for regulators and strategic management of plastic pollution.
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Co-Exposure of Nanopolystyrene and Other Environmental Contaminants—Their Toxic Effects on the Survival and Reproduction of Enchytraeus crypticus
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This study tested the combined toxicity of nanopolystyrene particles alongside pharmaceuticals, metals, and engineered nanomaterials on the soil worm Enchytraeus crypticus, finding that co-exposure often amplified harm to survival and reproduction beyond that of each pollutant alone. The results highlight that real-world mixtures of plastic and chemical contaminants pose greater ecological risks than single-substance assessments suggest.
Enchytraeus crypticus Avoid Soil Spiked with Microplastic
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Researchers conducted area-choice experiments with the soil invertebrate Enchytraeus crypticus and found the worms actively avoided soils spiked with microplastics, suggesting behavioral avoidance as an ecologically relevant response. The preference to escape microplastic-contaminated soil was observed across multiple polymer types and size ranges.
Effects of polystyrene microplastics on the fitness of earthworms in an agricultural soil
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Researchers exposed earthworms to polystyrene microplastics in agricultural soil at various concentrations. The study found that low concentrations had little effect, but high concentrations (1% and above) significantly inhibited growth and increased mortality, suggesting microplastic pollution poses ecological risks to soil organisms in terrestrial ecosystems.
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Researchers fed the soil oligochaete Enchytraeus crypticus diets containing different concentrations of nano-polystyrene particles and found that exposure significantly altered the gut microbiome composition. The study suggests that nanoplastic ingestion can disturb the microbial communities in soil invertebrate digestive systems, which may have cascading effects on nutrient processing and organism health.
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