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Earthworms on a microplastics diet
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Researchers found that environmentally relevant concentrations of polyethylene microplastics added to plant litter on soil surfaces led to reduced growth and elevated mortality in the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris, and that earthworms may themselves transport ingested microplastics deeper into soils.
Plastic Pollution![Figure][1] A common type of earthworm, Lumbricus terrestris PHOTO:© NATURE PICTURE LIBRARY/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO Microplastics commonly found in marine environments can cause harm to marine organisms when ingested. Terrestrial environments are also widely polluted with plastics, but little is known about their effect on terrestrial species. Huerta Lwanga et al. have investigated the effect of polyethylene microplastics in plant litter on earthworms. To provide a realistic exposure scenario, the authors added the microplastics to plant litter deposited on the soil surface. They show that environmentally relevant microplastic concentrations led to reduced earthworm growth and elevated mortality as compared to a control. Futhermore, earthworms may transport microplastics into soils, from which they may leach into surface waters. Environ. Sci. Technol. 10.1021/acs.est.5b05478 (2016). [1]: pending:yes
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Incorporation of microplastics from litter into burrows of Lumbricus terrestris
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Researchers investigated whether earthworms incorporate microplastics from surface litter into their burrows, finding that earthworm burrowing activity actively transports microplastics deeper into the soil profile.
Responses of earthworms exposed to low-density polyethylene microplastic fragments
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Researchers exposed earthworms to low-density polyethylene microplastic fragments at various concentrations and studied the effects on their survival, growth, and reproduction. The microplastics affected earthworm behavior and caused measurable changes depending on concentration and exposure time. Since earthworms are critical for soil health and nutrient cycling, their sensitivity to microplastics raises concerns about how plastic pollution may degrade agricultural soils.
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.
Eco-toxicological Impact of Polypropylene Microplastics on the Earthworm Lampito mauritii: Effects on Growth and Vital Biomarkers
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Scientists found that polypropylene microplastics, a common plastic used in packaging and textiles, harm earthworms by reducing their body weight, reproduction, and causing cell stress at high exposure levels. Since earthworms are vital for healthy soil that grows our food, this suggests plastic pollution could quietly damage the ecosystems we depend on for agriculture.
Earthworms Exposed to Polyethylene and Biodegradable Microplastics in Soil: Microplastic Characterization and Microbial Community Analysis
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Researchers exposed earthworms to biodegradable and conventional polyethylene microplastics in natural soil and found that worms ingested both types. The biodegradable plastic showed signs of partial breakdown in the earthworm gut, while conventional polyethylene remained unchanged. Although microplastics did not significantly alter the soil or gut microbiome in this study, the results confirm that earthworms transport microplastics through soil ecosystems.
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