title: Effects of PAHs and dioxins on the earthworm Eisenia andrei: a multivariate approach for biomarker interpretation.
abstract: In this study, a battery of biomarkers was utilised to evaluate the stress syndrome induced in the earthworm Eisenia andrei by exposure to environmentally realistic concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin (TCDD) in OECD soil. The set of tests was then employed to assess the toxicity of field soils contaminated with organic xenobiotic compounds (such as PAHs, dioxins and PCBs). The results highlighted an impairment of immune and metabolic functions and genotoxic damage in worms exposed also to lower bioavailable concentrations of toxic chemicals. Multivariate analysis of biomarker data showed that all different contaminated soils had a detrimental effect on the earthworms. A separation between temporal and concentration factors was also evident for B[a]P and TCDD treatments; and field contaminated soils were further differentiated reflecting a diverse contamination. Multivariate analysis also demonstrated that lysosomal membrane stability can be considered a prognostic indicator for worm health status.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sciences and Technological Innovation (DiSIT), University of Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", V.le T. Michel 11, 15121 Alessandria, Italy.
authors.forename: Susanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sforzini
authors.affiliation: Department of Sciences and Technological Innovation (DiSIT), University of Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", V.le T. Michel 11, 15121 Alessandria, Italy; European Centre for Environment & Human Health (ECEHH), University of Exeter Medical School, Truro TR1 3HD, UK; Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Plymouth PL1 3DH, UK; School of Biological Science, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK.
authors.forename: Michael N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.affiliation: Department of Sciences and Technological Innovation (DiSIT), University of Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", V.le T. Michel 11, 15121 Alessandria, Italy.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boeri
authors.affiliation: ISPRA, Via Vitaliano Brancati 60, Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bencivenga
authors.affiliation: Department of Sciences and Technological Innovation (DiSIT), University of Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", V.le T. Michel 11, 15121 Alessandria, Italy. Electronic address: viarengo@unipmn.it.
authors.forename: Aldo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Viarengo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene / Q000633:toxicity; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D004249:DNA Damage; D004147:Dioxins / Q000032:analysis; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000032:analysis; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000378:metabolism; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / Q000032:analysis; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000633:toxicity*; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D004147:Dioxins; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene
keywords: Biomarkers; Earthworms; Lysosomal membrane stability; Multivariate analysis