The environmental prevalence of the tire wear-derived emerging pollutant N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine-quinone (6PPD-Q) has increasingly raised public concern. However, knowledge of the adverse effects of 6PPD-Q on soil fauna is scarce. In this study, we elucidated its impact on soil fauna, specifically on the earthworm Eisenia fetida. Our investigation encompassed phenotypic, multi-omics, and microbiota analyses to assess earthworm responses to a gradient of 6PPD-Q contamination (10, 100, 1000, and 5000 mu g/kg dw soil). Post-28-day exposure, 6PPD-Q was found to bioaccumulate in earthworms, triggering reactive oxygen species production and consequent oxidative damage to coelomic and intestinal tissues. Transcriptomic and metabolomic profiling revealed several physiological perturbations, including inflammation, immune dysfunction, metabolic imbalances, and genetic toxicity. Moreover, 6PPD-Q perturbed the intestinal microbiota, with high dosages significantly suppressing microbial functions linked to metabolism and information processing (P < 0.05). These alterations were accompanied by increased mortality and weight loss in the earthworms. Specifically, at an environmental concentration of 6PPD-Q (1000 mu g/kg), we observed a substantial reduction in survival rate and physiological disruptions. This study provides important insights into the environmental hazards of 6PPD-Q to soil biota and reveals the underlying toxicological mechanisms, underscoring the need for further research to mitigate its ecological footprint.

6PPD-quinone (6PPDQ) is a recently discovered chemical that is acutely toxic to coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and can form via environmental exposure of 6PPD, a compound found extensively in tire wear particles (TWPs). TWPs deposited on roads are transported to aquatic ecosystems via stormwater, contributing to microplastic pollution and organic contaminant loads. However, little is known about the fate of TWPs and their leachable contaminants in these systems. We conducted three experiments at a high school in Tacoma, Washington, to quantify the treatment performance of permeable pavement (PP) formulations, a type of green stormwater infrastructure (GSI), for TWPs and ten tire-associated contaminants, including 6PPDQ. The PPs comprised concrete and asphalt, with and without cured carbon fibers, to improve the mechanical properties of PPs. Pavements were artificially dosed and had underdrains to capture effluent. Three experiments were conducted to evaluate PP mitigation of tire-associated pollution using cryomilled tire particles (cTPs). The 1st and 3rd experiments established a baseline for TWPs and contaminants and assessed the potential for continued pollutant release. During experiment 2, cTPs were applied to each pavement. Our results showed that the PPs attenuated >96 % of the deposited cTPs mass. An estimated 52-100 % of potentially leachable 6PPDQ was removed by the PP systems between the influent and effluent sampling stations. Background 6PPDQ concentrations in effluents ranged from 0 to 0.0029 mu g/L. Effluent 6PPDQ concentrations were not explained by effluent TWP concentrations in experiments 1 or 2 but were significantly correlated in experiment 3, suggesting that leaching of 6PPDQ from TWPs retained in the pavement was minimal during a subsequent storm. Our results suggest that PPs may be an effective form of GSI for mitigating tire-associated stormwater pollution. The improved strength offered by cured carbon fiber-amended pavements extends PP deployment on high-traffic roadways where tire-associated pollution poses the greatest environmental risk.