Effects of PAHs and dioxins on the earthworm Eisenia andrei: A multivariate approach for biomarker interpretation

• Published in: Environmental pollution (1987) 2015-01, Vol.196, p.60-71
• Main Authors: Sforzini, Susanna, Moore, Michael N., Boeri, Marta, Bencivenga, Mauro, Viarengo, Aldo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Battery; Benzo(a)pyrene - toxicity; Biomarkers; Biomarkers - metabolism; Contamination; Dioxins; Dioxins - analysis; DNA Damage; Earthworms; Eisenia andrei; Environmental Pollution - analysis; Exposure; Lysosomal membrane stability; Multivariate analysis; Oligochaeta - metabolism; Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins - analysis; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons - toxicity; Soil; Soil (material); Soil Pollutants - analysis; Soil Pollutants - toxicity; Worms
• ISSN: 0269-7491; 1873-6424
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2014.09.015

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. •Biomarkers were employed in E. andrei exposed to spiked soils and field samples.•Stress and genotoxic effects were observed at minimal PAH and dioxin concentrations.•Multivariate analysis was used to rank the chemical-induced stress syndrome in worms.•Lysosomal membrane stability is proposed as a prognostic indicator for health status. Biomarkers were employed in Eisenia andrei in laboratory and field studies. Multivariate analysis ranked the stress syndrome in worms. Lysosomal stability is prognostic for health status.