title: Histopathological and molecular effects of microplastics in Eisenia andrei Bouché.
abstract: The ocean has been assumed as the main sink of microplastics (MPs), however, soils may also receive MPs from different sources and through different pathways, which may affect the biota and their role in soil functions. To the best of our knowledge, only one study, until now, reported the effects of MPs on the survival and fitness of soil organisms (Lumbricus terrestris). In our study, epigeic earthworms, of the species E. andrei, were exposed to different concentrations of MPs (0, 62.5, 125, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg soildw) in an OECD artificial soil and tested for reproduction, survival and growth of adults, following a standard protocol. The size of the polyethylene MPs to which earthworms were exposed ranged between 250 and 1000 μm. No significant effects were recorded on survival, number of juveniles and, in the final weight of adult earthworms after 28d of exposure, to the different concentrations of MPs. Nevertheless, FTIR-ATR of earthworms and histopathological analysis of the gut provided evidences of damages and immune system responses to MPs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Biology and Soil Science, Universidade de Vigo, As Lagoas, Marcosende, 36310 Vigo, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rodriguez-Seijo
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lourenço
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry & CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: T A P
authors.initials: TAP
authors.lastname: Rocha-Santos
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry & CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: da Costa
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry & CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Duarte
authors.affiliation: Agrarian School of Viseu, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu. Viseu, Portugal; Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB and Centre for Studies in Education, and Health Technologies (CI&DETS), Portugal.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vala
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto & CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research & GreenUP/CITAB-UP, Porto, Portugal. Electronic address: ruth.pereira@fc.up.pt.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pereira
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000187:drug effects*; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects*; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D010316:Particle Size; D010969:Plastics / Q000009:adverse effects; D020959:Polyethylene / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D010969:Plastics; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D020959:Polyethylene
keywords: E. andrei; FTIR-ATR; Histopathology; Microplastics; Reproduction; Soil