Fluorite (CaF2) leaching and weathering (30 days) were conducted to measure fluoride dissolution in semiarid endemic soil and controlled synthetic solutions, and determining the main chemical species involved in these processes via atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS). Ecological health response in this system was assessed exposing Allium cepa bulbs to 10, 50, 100, 450, 550 and 950 mg CaF2 kg-1 soil to determine genotoxic damage, protein and systemic fluorine concentrations. Results indicated 3 cycles of passive-active fluorite dissolution enabling fluoride concentrations up to 164 mg L-1 under endemic conditions; however, highest fluoride dissolution was 780 mg L-1 for synthetic sulfates solution. Cyclic behavior was associated with the formation of ultrafine-sized calcite (CaCO3)-like compounds. Fluorine concentrations ranged from 5 to 300 mg kg-1 in vegetable tissue. The electrophoretic profiles revealed changes in the protein expression after 7, 15 and 25 days of exposure. Genotoxic damage rate was 50, 82 and 42% for these exposures (950 mg CaF2 kg-1 soil). The dose-response curves of the normalized total protein content revealed the kinetics vegetable health damage rates for only 7 and 25 days. This behavior was best adjusted for only 7 days. These findings exhibited characteristics for initial damage and adaptation-recovery stage after 15 days. Environmental implications of these findings were further discussed.

Microplastics (MP) are now present in all ecosystems and undergo weathering processes, including physical or chemical degradation. Although most studies have been carried out on MP toxicity in the marine ecosystem, interest is growing for the terrestrial and entire aquatic compartments. However, the interface between both environments, also known as the soil/water continuum, is given little consideration in MP toxicity studies. Only a few studies considered the toxicity of artificially aged or soil field-collected MP on species living at this interface. The present study evaluates the impact of artificial and field aging polyethylene (PE) MP on the bivalve Scrobicularia plana, a key organism of the estuarine compartment, living at the soil/water interface. Clams were exposed for 21 days to environmental concentrations (0.008, 10 and 100 mu g L-1) of unaged as well as artificially and field aged PE MP. Toxicity was assessed from individual to molecular levels including condition index, clearance rate, burrowing behavior, energy reserves, enzyme activities and DNA damage. Results showed differential effects at all biological levels depending on the type and the concentration of the MP tested. Indeed, a decrease in burrowing behavior was observed in S. plana exposed to aged and field PE at low concentration (0.008 mu g L-1). In the gills of clams, exposures to aged PE (0.008 and 100 mu g L-1), virgin PE (10 mu g L-1) and field PE (all tested concentrations) decreased CAT activity while DNA damage increased after exposure to virgin PE (0.008 mu g L-1 and 10 mu g L-1) and field PE (0.008 mu g L-1). Our findings suggest that aging modifies the toxicity profile of PE polymer on S. plana and considering plastic from field at environmental concentrations is important when performing ecotoxicological studies.

The present study aimed to i) assess the disintegration of a novel bio-packaging during aerobic composting (2 and 6 % tested concentrations) and evaluate the resulting compost ii) analyse the ecotoxicity of bioplastics residues on earthworms; iii) study the microbial communities during composting and in 'earthworms' gut after their exposure to bioplastic residues; iv) correlate gut microbiota with ecotoxicity analyses; v) evaluate the chemicophysical characterisation of bio-packaging after composting and earthworms' exposure. Both tested concentrations showed disintegration of bio-packaging close to 90 % from the first sampling time, and compost chemical analyses identified its maturity and stability at the end of the process. Ecotoxicological assessments were then conducted on Eisenia fetida regarding fertility, growth, genotoxic damage, and impacts on the gut microbiome. The bioplastic residues did not influence the earthworms' fertility, but DNA damages were measured at the highest bioplastic dose tested. Furthermore bioplastic residues did not significantly affect the bacterial community during composting, but compost treated with 2 % bio-packaging exhibited greater variability in the fungal communities, including Mortierella, , Mucor, , and Alternaria genera, which can use bioplastics as a carbon source. Moreover, bioplastic residues influenced gut bacterial communities, with Paenibacillus, , Bacillus, , Rhizobium, , Legionella, , and Saccharimonadales genera being particularly abundant at 2 % bioplastic concentration. Higher concentrations affected microbial composition by favouring different genera such as Pseudomonas, , Ureibacillus, , and Streptococcus. . For fungal communities, Pestalotiopsis sp. was found predominantly in earthworms exposed to 2 % bioplastic residues and is potentially linked to its role as a microplastics degrader. After composting, Attenuated Total Reflection analysis on bioplastic residues displayed evidence of ageing with the formation of hydroxyl groups and amidic groups after earthworm exposure.

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxic potential of mining residues by 1) evaluating the concentrations of heavy metals and arsenic in soil and earthworm's samples from impacted and reference sites in Charcas and Villa de la Paz, San Luis Potos & iacute;, M & eacute;xico; and 2) evaluating effects by laboratory bioassays and the comet assay in the earthworm Eisenia andrei. Methods The quantification of metals in soils was carried out by the Thermo Scientific Niton XL3t Gold Serie 500 environmental analyzer for X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and in the earthworm tissue through ICP-MS. The evaluation of the genotoxic potential of soils was assessed through movility and exposure bioassays with earthworms, determining DNA damage using the comet assay at the end of the bioassays. Results In Charcas, the concentrations in soils of heavy metals from highest to lowest were: Pb > Cu > Mn > Cd (Impacted); and Mn > Pb (Reference). In Villa de la Paz, the concentrations were: As > Mn > Cu > Pb (Impacted) and Mn > Pb > As (Reference). The exposure pattern to heavy metals in earthworms in Charcas was: Pb > As (Impacted and Reference); and in Villa de la Paz it was: As > Mn > Pb > Cu > Cd (Impacted), y Pb > As (Reference). In both mining districts, the magnitude of DNA damage in earthworms was: Impacted > Reference > Control. Conclusion The results indicate that the impacted soils of both sites represent a significant source of exposure to edaphic organisms, with a notable genotoxic potential.

The prolonged exposure of agricultural soils to heavy metals from wastewater, particularly in areas near industrial facilities, poses a significant threat to the well-being of living organisms. The World Health Organization (WHO) has established standard permissible limits for heavy metals in agricultural soils to mitigate potential health hazards. Nevertheless, some agricultural fields continue to be irrigated with wastewater containing industrial effluents. This study aimed to assess the concentration of lead in soil samples collected from agricultural fields near industrial areas. Subsequently, we determined the lethal concentration (LC50) of lead (Pb) and other heavy metals for two Collembola species, namely Folsomia candida , a standard organism for soil ecotoxicity tests, and comparing it with Proisotoma minuta . The research further examined the toxic effects of lead exposure on these two species, revealing depletion in the energy reservoirs and alterations in the tissue histology of both organisms. The study revealed that lead can induce genotoxic damage as it evidently has moderate binding affinity with the ct-DNA and hence can cause DNA fragmentation and the formation of micronuclei. Elevated lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels and protein carbonylation levels were observed, alongside a reduction in antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD & GPx). These findings suggest that lead disrupts the balance between oxidants and the antioxidant enzyme system, impairing defense mechanisms and consequential derogatory damage within microarthropods. The investigation elucidates a complex network of various signaling pathways compromised as a result of lead toxicity. Hence, it presents a novel perspective that underscores the pressing necessity for implementing an integrated risk assessment framework at the investigated site.

The pyroligneous acid (PA), or wood vinegar, is a byproduct of wood carbonization during the slow pyrolysis process. PA is recognized globally as a safe compound for agriculture due to its various beneficial properties, such as antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and termiticidal properties. However, the impact of different PA concentrations on beneficial soil organisms, such as earthworms has not been investigated. The present study aims to understand the effects of different PA concentrations on earthworm Eisenia fetida. The earthworms were exposed to nine different concentrations of PA in soils, including their control. The acute toxicity assay was performed after 14 days of exposure, and the chronic toxicity assay was performed up to 8 weeks after exposure. The results from the acute toxicity assay demonstrated no significant effect on earthworm mortality. The chronic toxicity assay showed that lower PA concentrations (0.01-0.2% of weight/weight PA in soil) promoted cocoon and juvenile production in soils, whereas higher PA concentrations (0.5 and 1%) had a negative effect. These findings highlight the potential of PA to enhance soil fertility at lower concentrations, up to 0.2%, by stimulating worm activity and subsequent manure production. The outcomes of this study have significant implications for the careful management of PA concentrations within agricultural operations.

Copper (Cu) toxicity is a pressing concern for several soils, especially in organic viticulture. The objective of this work was to assess Cu toxicity on the non-target organism Eisenia fetida, employing both traditional and novel tools for early identification of Cu-induced damages. In addition to traditional tests like avoidance and reproductive toxicity experiments, other tests such as the single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) and gut microbiome analysis were evaluated to identify early and more sensitive pollution biomarkers. Four sub-lethal Cu concentrations were studied, and the results showed strong dose-dependent responses by the earthworm avoidance test and the exceeding of habitat threshold limit at the higher Cu doses. An inverse proportionality was observed between reproductive output and soil Cu concentration. Bioaccumulation was not detected in earthworms; soil concentrations of potentially bioavailable Cu were not affected by E. fetida presence or by time. On the contrary, the SCGE test revealed dose-dependent genotoxicity for the 'tail length' parameter already at the second day of Cu exposition. Gut microbiome analysis a modulation of microbial composition, with the most aboundant families being Pectobateriaceae, Comamonadaceae and Microscillaceae. Bacillaceae increased over time and showed adaptability to copper up to 165 mg/kg, while at the highest dose even the sensitive Acetobacteriaceae family was affected. The research provided new insights into the ecotoxicity of Cu sub-lethal doses highlighting both alterations at earthworms' cellular level and changes in their gut microbiota.

With the expansion of urban areas, the amount of sludge produced by sewage treatment plants is increasing, raising big problems regarding the reintroduction of this sludge into nature in order to fully solve the wastewater problem. The application of sludge to agricultural surfaces or degraded land is a controversial solution since, despite the well-known benefits, sludge can, in certain cases, represent a real threat to both human health and the environment, with long-term harmful effects. The present study evaluates the potential genotoxicity of sludge using the Comet Test and three cellular bioindicators (lymphocytes, coelomocytes, and Allium cepa L.) for its quantification. To perform the tests, the soluble fraction of the sludge was used at concentrations of 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%, as well as a negative control (H2O) and a positive control (H2O2). The Comet test indicated an increase in DNA damage among cells exposed for 4 h in the following order: coelomocytes, lymphocytes, and Allium cepa L. cells. Our results indicate that Allium cepa L. nuclei are more sensitive, with genotoxic effects being evident at concentrations as low as 25%. In coelomocytes, we recorded nuclear damage starting at a concentration of 75%. These results indicate the necessity of using multiple genotoxicity tests, combined in a test battery, to achieve a greater level of relevance. The concentration of the soluble fraction of the sludge has an inverse relationship with the auxin content in leaves and roots, suggesting varying levels of stress. The results of this study can contribute to the creation of a genotoxic profile of sewage sludge, facilitating decisions related to reducing its negative impact.