title: Histopathological changes in the earthworm Eisenia andrei associated with the exposure to metals and radionuclides.
abstract: Earthworms were exposed for 56 d to a contaminated soil, from an abandoned uranium mine, and to the natural reference soil LUFA 2.2. Histological changes in earthworm's body wall (epidermis, circular and longitudinal muscles) and gastrointestinal tract (chloragogenous tissue and intestinal epithelium) were assessed, after 0, 14 and 56 d of exposure. Results have shown alterations in all the studied tissues after 14 d of exposure (except for the intestinal epithelium), yet more severe effects were registered after 56 d of exposure. Herein we report histopathological alterations as a good biomarker for the evaluation of soil quality. We also demonstrate that morphological changes in the body wall and gastrointestinal tract, are important endpoints that could be added to earthworm's standardized tests, for the evaluation of soil toxicity, as part of the risk assessment of contaminated areas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal. joanalourenco@ua.pt
authors.forename: Joana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lourenço
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.forename: João
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Margarida
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malta
authors.forename: Sónia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mendo
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pereira
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004817:Epidermis / Q000473:pathology; D005720:Gamma Rays; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000473:pathology; D008670:Metals / Q000633:toxicity*; D008906:Mining; D009132:Muscles / Q000473:pathology; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000187:drug effects*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D014501:Uranium / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014501:Uranium