The fate of herbicide acetochlor and its toxicity to Eisenia fetida under laboratory conditions

The presence of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) protein in earthworms Eisenia fetida has no deleterious effects on their growth and reproduction

Earthworms Eisenia fetida, bred in substances with stover of two genetically-engineered Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corns (5422Bt1 (Event Bt11) and 5422CBCL (MON810)) expressing Cry1Ab and their near-isogenic non-Bt corn (5422), were used to investigate the non-target effects of Bt corn on soil-dwelling organisms. Cry1Ab concentrations in substances, casts and guts of E. fetida were also investigated by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). More than 90% individuals of E. fetida survived over a period of 30 d, irrespective of whether they received Bt corn or non-Bt corn. Compared to 5422 treatments, significantly higher relative growth rate and more number of new offspring and cocoons of E. fetida were found in 5422Bt1 and 5422CBCL treatments. These results were unlikely to be directly caused by Cry1Ab released from Bt corns but rather by differences in other factors of plants such as plant components (soluble sugar, total organic carbon, total protein and available phosphorus of Bt corns were more than 5422). ELISA results indicated immunoreactive Cry1Ab was detectable in substances, and the casts, guts of E. fetida from Bt corns treatments, of which the highest levels were detected in substances under the corresponding experimental conditions. With the increase of treated time, a strong decline was observed in Cry1Ab from substances and casts of E. fetida, whereas Cry1Ab in guts of E. fetida from 5422Bt1 treatments gradually increased and that from 5422CBCL treatments increased between 14 and 30 d. Therefore, the presence of Cry1Ab in E. fetida had no deleterious effects on their growth and reproduction.

Use of organic amendments as a bioremediation strategy to reduce the bioavailability of chlorpyrifos insecticide in soils. Effects on soil biology

The sorption capacity of both an organic municipal solid waste by-product (MSW) and a cow manure (CM) in a soil polluted with chlorpyrifos, as well as its effect on soil microbial activity, and weight, reproductive parameters and glutathione-S-transferase activity of two earthworm species (Eisenia fetida and Lumbricus terrestris) were studied. Chlorpyrifos was added at the recommended application rate (5 L ha(-1); 768 mg chlorpyrifos kg(-1)) and treated with MSW at a rate of 10% and CM at a rate of 5.8% in order to apply the same amount of organic matter to the soil. An unamended polluted soil was used as control. Earthworm cocoon number, average weight of cocoon, and number of juveniles per cocoon were measured after 30 days of incubation, whereas soil enzymatic activities, earthworm weight, and glutathione-S-transferase activity of earthworms were measured after 3, 45 and 90 days. Soil enzymatic activities, reproductive and glutathione-S-transferase activity in both worms decreased in polluted soil. The inhibition percentage of soil enzymatic activities, reproductive and glutathione-S-transferase activity in both worms was lower in MSW-amended soil than for CM-amended soil. The toxic effect of chlorpyrifos on E. fetida was lowest compared to L. terrestris. This suggested that the addition of organic wastes with higher humic than fulvic acid concentration is more beneficial for remediation of soils polluted with chlorpyrifos.

Application of organic wastes on a benzo(a)pyrene polluted soil. Response of soil biochemical properties and role of Eisenia fetida

In this paper we studied the bioremediation effects of a soil artificially contaminated by benzo(a)pyrene with and without two organic wastes (organic municipal solid waste, MSW, and poultry manure, PM) and with and without worms (Eisenia fetida) over 90 days. For the organic treatments, soil samples were mixed with MSW at a rate of 10% or PM at a rate of 7.6%, in order to apply the same amount of organic matter to the soil. An unamended and non-polluted soil was used as control. Cellulase and glutathione-S-transferase activities in worms and the earthworms' weight were measured at four different incubation times (3, 15, 60 and 90 days). Cocoon numbers, average weight per cocoon and number of juveniles per cocoon were measured 30 days after the benzo(a)pyrene exposure. Extractable benzo(a)pyrene in soils and E. fetida was determined during the incubation period. To observe the effects of bioremediation of the contaminated soil, ATP, urease and phosphatase activities were measured. At the end of the incubation period and when compared with the polluted soil without worms and organic matter, the extractable benzo(a)pyrene decreased by 41.2% for the unamended polluted soil and without worms, by 45.8% for the organic-PM polluted soil and without worms, 48.3% for the organic-MSW polluted soil and without worms, 55.4% for the organic-PM polluted soil and with worms, and 66.3% for the organic-MSW polluted soil and with worms. This meant that worm hydrocarbon absorption was lowest in the contaminated soil amended with MSW and with worms, causing an increase in catabolic activity of the soil. These results suggested that the co-application of organic wastes and E. fetida for the bioremediation of benzo(a)pyrene polluted soil is potentially advantageous.

Coelomocyte biomarkers in the earthworm Eisenia fetida exposed to 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT)

Contamination by 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) is a global environmental problem at sites of former explosive production, handling, or storage, and could have deleterious consequences for human and ecological health. We investigated its sublethal effects to Eisenia fetida, using two nonspecific biomarkers. In coelomocytes of earthworms exposed 24, 48, or 72 h, we evaluated DNA damage (comet assay) and neutral red retention time (NRRT), using the filter paper contact test. Both percentage of damage (D%) and calculated damage index showed significant DNA damage at almost all concentrations, at all time points assayed. Along exposure time, two different patterns were observed. At the lower TNT concentrations (0.25-0.5 μg/cm2) an increased DNA migration at 48 h, with a decrease close to initial levels after 72 h exposure, was observed. This decrease could be attributed to activation of the DNA repair system. At higher concentrations (1.0-2.0 μg/cm2), the high DNA damage observed remained constant during the 72 h exposure, suggesting that the rate of DNA repair was not enough to compensate such damage. Analysis of NRRT results showed a significant interaction between time and treatment. After 48 h, a significant decrease was observed at 4.0 μg/cm2. After 72 h, NRRT presented a concentration-dependent decrease, significantly different with respect to control at 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 μg/cm2. The two assayed methods, performed on the same sample, showed clear responses to sublethal TNT exposure in E. fetida, providing sensitive unspecific biomarkers of cell injury and DNA damage.

Acetochlor sorption and degradation in limestone subsurface and aquifers

BACKGROUND

Acetochlor, introduced on the market in 1994, is used extensively worldwide, but sorption and degradation studies, including subsurface, are scarce, and there appear to be no such studies with aquifer sediment according to the present mini-review. Sorption, degradation and mineralisation of acetochlor were investigated in heterogeneous limestone down to 43 m below surface (mbs) in four European aquifers (1.7-59 mbs), both aerobic and anaerobic.

RESULTS

Sorption revealed K(d) values of 3.39-4.96 L kg(-1) in topsoil, < 0.01-2.02 L kg(-1) in heterogeneous limestone, 0.06-0.72 L kg(-1) in aerobic aquifers and 1.03-4.60 L kg(-1) in microaerobic or anaerobic aquifers. The mineralisation half-lives in the samples from 0.0-0.6 mbs were 0.8-2.1 years and 4.7-95 years in the unsaturated limestone samples from 1-43 mbs. Out of 22 samples from four different European aquifers, acetochlor was mineralised in five samples (half-lives of 9-19 years), all from the same aquifer and core section (19.25-19.53 mbs).

CONCLUSION

Sorption was weak in limestone and aerobic sandy aquifers, and strong in topsoils and in reduced sandy aquifers. Redox conditions controlled the extent of acetochlor sorption in aquifers, as reduced conditions induced increased sorption. Acetochlor was mineralised in deep subsurface, though slowly, and, as mineralisation is the only true removal mechanism in natural attenuation, even slow mineralisation in aquifers with long residence times can have a significant impact.

Response of Eisenia fetida to the application of different organic wastes in an aluminium-contaminated soil

The effects of amending Al-contaminated soils with municipal solid waste compost (MSW), poultry manure (PM) and cow manure (CM) on Al toxicity and morphological alterations and biochemical enzymes of the earthworm Eisenia fetida were investigated in an incubation spiking experiment. Al(NO(3))(3) was added to a soil at rates equivalent to 0, 50 and 100 mg Al kg(-1). In order to apply the same amount of organic matter (OM), soil samples were mixed with MSW, PM and CM at a rate of 10%, 7.6% and 5.8%, respectively. Earthworm cocoon number, average weight of cocoon and number of juveniles per cocoon were measured after 30 days of incubation, whereas weight, Al concentration and available Al, as well cellulase and glutathione-S-transferase activities of earthworms were measured after 3, 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days. Reproductive and enzymatic activities of earthworms decreased with increasing the rate of Al applied. The inhibition of weight, enzyme activities and Al concentration of earthworm was lower in organically amended soils than in unamended soils. At the end of the incubation, earthworm weight and enzymatic activities in highly contaminated soils increased and Al concentration in earthworm tissues decreased as the relative amount of humic acids applied to soil increased, following the order unamended soil<CM-amended soil<PM-amended soil<MSW-amended soil. These results suggest that the application of organic amendments with higher content of humic acids may be more beneficial for remediation of Al-polluted soils.

Assessing the effects of acetochlor on soil fungal communities by DGGE and clone library analysis

We assessed the potential eco-toxicological risks of the herbicide acetochlor on fungal communities in the microcosm of black soil using 28S rRNA gene-PCR-DGGE and clone library analysis. The acetochlor was applied to black soil at four concentrations (0-control, 50, 150, and 250 mg/kg). The DGGE fingerprint patterns indicated that acetochlor stimulated fungal communities at day 7 after application, after which there was a suppression effect. The fungal communities in acetochlor-treated soil gradually became more like that of the control during the 60-day experimental period. Diversity indices in the 50 and 150 mg/kg acetochlor treatments changed more rapidly than in the 250 mg/kg acetochlor treatment. The cluster analysis indicated a significant change in fungal community structure after application of acetochlor. The impacts were markedly greater in the 150 and 250 mg/kg acetochlor treatments compared with the 50 mg/kg acetochlor treatment. Sequencing of clones showed that acetochlor application resulted in an increase in pathogenic and non-cultivatable fungal populations, which could increase the risk of plant disease outbreaks.

Toxicity of ionic liquids on the growth, reproductive ability, and ATPase activity of earthworm

To evaluate the toxicity of the ionic liquid 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium bromide ([C(8)mim]Br) to Eisenia foetida, effects of [C(8)mim]Br on the growth, reproductive ability, and adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity of earthworms were determined under laboratory conditions using artificial soil as substrate. The results showed that [C(8)mim]Br in high concentrations significantly inhibited the growth of the earthworms. These effects were enhanced with prolonged exposure to and increasing concentration of [C(8)mim]Br. E. foetida's reproductive ability was significantly inhibited after 42d of subchronic exposure to [C(8)mim]Br at a concentration >or=5 mg kg(-1) artificial soil (dry weight). During acute exposure, a high concentration of [C(8)mim]Br >or=40 mg kg(-1) artificial soil (dry weight) inhibited the activities of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase and Mg(++)-ATPase after 3 and 7d of exposure. After 42d of subchronic exposure, the activity of both ATPases was inhibited in groups exposed to >or=5mg[C(8)mim]Brkg(-1) artificial soil (dry weight). These results indicate that treatment with the ionic liquid [C(8)mim]Br affects the growth, reproductive ability, and ATPase activity of earthworms E. foetida.

Effects of 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium bromide on the anti-oxidant system of earthworm

The activity changes of anti-oxidant enzymes and the levels of glutathione and malondialdehyde were determined when Eisenia foetida were exposed to different concentrations of 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium bromide for 14d. The results showed catalase activity in all treatment groups was elevated significantly after 1d of exposure, and superoxide dismutase activity in higher-dosage groups (120 and 160mgkg(-1)) was increased at 3d post-exposure. On the 7thd, the activity of glutathione-S-transferase in the 20 and 40mgkg(-1) dosage groups was inhibited while increased in the 80 and 160mgkg(-1) groups compared with the control groups. During exposure, the level of intracellular glutathione in all treatment groups was much higher than that of the control groups. Changes in malondialdehyde indicate that [C(8)mim]Br may lead to cellular lipid peroxidation in earthworm. Our results suggest that exposure to [C(8)mim]Br induce the formation of reactive oxygen species in earthworms.

The toxic effects of ionic liquids on the activities of acetylcholinesterase and cellulase in earthworms

The earthworm Eisenia foetida was exposed to different concentrations of imidazolium ionic liquids with varying chain lengths according to the method of OECD [OECD, 1984. (The Current Organization of Economic and Cooperative Development Acute Earthworm Toxicity Test) Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals, No. 207. Earthworm Acute Toxicity Tests]. The acute and subchronic toxic effects of [C(8)mim]Br on the activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and cellulase in earthworms were determined under an artificial soil condition. Using filter paper contact tests, the 48 h-LC(50) values of [C(4)mim]Br, [C(6)mim]Br, [C(8)mim]Br, [C(10)mim]Br and [C(12)mim]Br on the earthworm were 73.33, 28.25, 2.69, 0.37 and 0.02 microg cm(-2), respectively. The 7 d-LC(50) of [C(8)mim]Br was 206.8 mg kg(-1) artificial soil (dry weight) and the 14 d-LC(50) was 159.4 mg kg(-1) artificial soil (dry weight), under the condition of artificial soil. After 1 d and 3 d of acute exposure, the activity of AChE was markedly inhibited when compared to the control, while it was increased at 7d. The cellulase activity was elevated significantly in the treatment groups of 20-160 mg kg(-1) after 3 and 7d of acute exposure. The activity of cellulase was also promoted under the subchronic exposure condition in the 10 and 20 mg kg(-1) groups. The experimental results suggest that [C(8)mim]Br may interfere with the nervous function of the earthworms and increase their cellulase activity. These results indicate that [C(8)mim]Br-exposure can affect the metabolized enzyme activity of earthworms at low concentrations and can even cause worm death at high doses, both of which have potential impacts on the soil environment.

Assessing the toxicity of herbicide isoproturon on Aporrectodea caliginosa (Oligochaeta) and its fate in soil ecosystem

This study was conducted to determine the residues of isoproturon and its metabolites, 1-(4-isopropylphenyl)-3-methylurea, 1-(4-isopropylphenyl) urea, and 4-isopropylanilin in soil and mature earthworms under laboratory conditions. Mature earthworms (Aporrectodea caliginosa) were exposed for various durations (7, 15, 30, and 60 days) to soils contaminated with isoproturon concentrations (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 mg kg(-1) soil). The decrease in isoproturon concentration in the soil was inversely correlated to it's initial concentration. The highest concentration detected for isoproturon in earthworms was observed during the first 15 days and decreased thereafter. Acute toxicity of isoproturon was investigated; total soluble protein content and glycogen of the worms were evaluated. Levels of these parameters were related to isoproturon concentration in soil and earthworms. No lethal effect of isoproturon was observed even at the concentration of 1200 mg kg(-1) soil after 60 days of exposure. A reduction of total soluble protein was observed in all treated worms (maximum 59.54%). This study suggests the use of the total soluble protein content and glycogen of earthworms as biomarkers of exposure to isoproturon.

Effects of natural and chemical stressors on Enchytraeus albidus: can oxidative stress parameters be used as fast screening tools for the assessment of different stress impacts in soils?

Enchytraeids are important organisms of the soil biocenosis. They improve the soil pore structure and the degradation of organic matter. These organisms are used in standardized testing, using survival and reproduction (6 weeks) as endpoints. The use of biomarkers, linked to ecologically relevant alterations at higher levels of biological organization, is a promising tool for Environmental Risk Assessment. Here, enchytraeids were exposed for different time periods (two days and three weeks) to different soils (OECD artificial soil, different compositions in its organic matter, clay or pH value, and LUFA 2.2 natural soil) and different chemicals (Phenmedipham and copper). The main question addressed in the present study was if the effects of chemicals and different soil properties are preceded by alterations at the sub-cellular level, and if these endpoints may be used reliantly as faster screening tools for the assessment of different stress conditions in soils. The parameters measured in E. albidus whole body were: lipid peroxidation (LPO), total glutathione (TG), as well as the enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione S-transferase (GST). The results showed that biomarker responses in E. albidus were significantly affected by the soil type (GST, CAT, GPx, GR and LPO) and the duration of exposure in OECD artificial soil (GST, GPx, GR, CAT and LPO) but not in LUFA 2.2 natural soil. For the abiotic factors studied, after 2 days, low pH decreased significantly the TG levels and the activities of CAT and GR,and low OM also significantly decreased CAT and GR activities. After 3 weeks, differences in soil properties caused a decrease in GR and GPx activities, whereas increased GST activity was observed due to low organic matter and pH. Copper significantly increased the activities of CAT, GPx and GR, and decreased the activity of GST after 2 days as well as inscreasing LPO levels after 3 weeks. Phenmedipham increased LPO levels, associated with increased levels of TG as well as increased activities of CAT and GPx and decreased GST activity after 3 weeks exposure. This study shows that both abiotic and chemical stresses could be followed through biomarker analysis and that some of these determinations are potential endpoints in a quick soil contamination assessment procedure.

Biological response of earthworm, Eisenia foetida (Savigny) to an organophosphorous pesticide, profenofos

Acute toxicity, morphological alterations and histological effects of an organophosphorus insecticide, profenofos (PFF) to earthworm, Eisenia foetida were evaluated by direct contact through a filter paper. The 24 and 48 h LC(50) was 4.56 and 3.55 microg cm(-2), respectively. Morphological and histological observations showed body ruptures, bloody lesions, and internal excessive formation of glandular cell mass and disintegration of circular and longitudinal muscles, which failed to regulate the internal coelomic pressure, leading to fragmentation in earthworms. Neurotoxic potentiality of PFF was assessed by measuring acetylcholinesterase (AChE). AChE basal K(m) and V(max) values were 0.26 mM and 0.15 micromol min(-1) mg(-1) protein, respectively. PFF alters the in vitro K(m) value, resulting in a competitive type of inhibition. The inhibitory constant K(i) was 2.52x10(-6) M. Morphological alterations and histological effects should be monitored in addition to AChE inhibition to assess OP pesticide contamination in soil ecosystems.

Toxic effects of enrofloxacin on growth rate and catalase activity in Eisenia fetida

Enrofloxacin (EFLX) has been proven effective against both gram-negative and gram-positive microorganisms and used widely in animal husbandry. It may enter the soil environment with the excreta of treated animals. The aim of this study is to determine the toxicity of EFLX on the whole earthworms as well as its different tissues. Earthworms of Eisenia fetida were exposed to EFLX at 0, 500, 1000, 3000, and 5000mg/kg concentrations; samples were taken at days 2, 7, and 14 of exposure for determination of catalase (CAT) activity and growth rate. The growth rate showed little differences in all treatment groups. CAT activity was shown to be changeable at different tissues, exposure time, and EFLX concentrations. The intestinal tissues were more sensitive to EFLX than the body wall muscle tissues and whole earthworms. The investigation of CAT activity, especially in the intestinal tissues, can provide important information in terms of toxic effects of soil contamination.

Neurotoxic effect and metabolic responses induced by a mixture of six pesticides on the earthworm Aporrectodea caliginosa nocturna

The effects of a mixture of insecticides and/or fungicides at different environmental concentrations were investigated on a Aporrectodea caliginosa nocturna population. This laboratory experiment was carried out in order to reproduce Gaillac (France) vineyard conditions. Neurotoxicity (cholinesterase), metabolisation (glutathione-S-transferase) and oxidative stress (catalase) enzymes were studied as biomarkers in earthworms after short-term exposure in terraria. The aim was to observe the global effects of pesticide exposure, as in a vineyard, rather than focus on each isolated biomarker variation, or on each compound's impact. ChE activity was inhibited after a few days of insecticide and/or fungicide exposure, indicative of a neurotoxic effect in earthworms. The significant increase in GST and CAT activities revealed the metabolisation of these products resulting in the production of reactive oxygen species. After a long period of exposure or high concentrations, earthworms were physiologically damaged: they could not cope with the high toxicity (cellular dysfunction, protein catabolism...). Chemical analysis showed that pesticide bioaccumulation in earthworm tissues, even in those exposed to the highest concentrations and for the longest periods, was very low (under LOD) or absent. However, the study of pesticide residues in terraria after 34 days in a climate chamber suggested that earthworms participate in soil pesticide breakdown.

Effect of herbicides on glutathione S-transferases in the earthworm, Eisenia fetida

AIM AND BACKGROUND

Earthworms have been studied as a readily available, easily maintainable and cheap test species for assessing chemical pollution, and may be an alternative to in vivo rodent bioassays. The current investigation aims to characterize detoxification enzymes in Eisenia fetida and stress response against two herbicides with different modes of action, namely, fenoxaprop and metolachlor.

METHODS

Herbicides were applied to soil containing earthworms. Animals were then collected, sacrificed and shock-frozen. Extracted protein was analyzed for glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity using CDNB (1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene), DCNB (1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene), pNBC (p-nitrobenzylchloride), PNOBC (p-nitrobenz-o-ylchloride) and selected herbicides. GST isoenzymes were partially purified by affinity chromatography and molecular weights were estimated by SDS-PAGE.

RESULTS

In E. fetida protein extracts, GST activity towards model compounds ranked as CDNB>DCNB>PNBOC>PNBC. Fluorodifen was not conjugated at all, but fenoxaprop and metolachlor were conjugated at low rates. Furthermore, the GST isoenzyme pattern changed during the incubation with herbicides, either due to stress or as a defense reaction. After incubation with monochlorobimane, a strong fluorescence of the intestinal tract and the intersegments was observed, indicating organ-specific GST induction.

DISCUSSION

According to the author's knowledge, here, for the first time, evidence is presented that E. fetida GST are also capable of conjugating a wider range of xenobiotic substrates. Different forms of GST were observed and changes in GST isoforms due to the herbicide treatment were also noticed. GST conjugation rates varied between different herbicides used in this experiment. It might be assumed that herbicides may well be detoxified by earthworms, to a certain extent, but that they are also potent stress factors influencing the detoxification system of the animal. High doses or long exposure might lead to deleterious effects on earthworms and limit their survival rate. The use of the animals as bioindicators for herbicides and herbicide residues seems very promising, but is surely influenced by the lack of detoxification for some compounds.

CONCLUSIONS

Conjugation of several xenobiotics with model substances and herbicides is proven in the earthworm E. fetida. However, E. fetida has only limited capabilities of detoxifying herbicidal compounds. Different isoforms of GST were involved and altered in their activity after treatment.

RECOMMENDATIONS AND PERSPECTIVES

The accumulation of GS-conjugates and their determination via fluorescence microscopy is a quick and secure, additional marker for exposure that should be further developed to complement existing biotests. The described methods and endpoints might help to understand the complex reaction of earthworms towards herbicides and lead to an adapted test methodology.

Acetochlor mineralization and fate of its two major metabolites in two soils under laboratory conditions

The degradation of the herbicide acetochlor, in a neoluvisol and in a calcosol were studied as a function of depth (0-25cm and 25-50cm) and temperature (25 degrees C and 15 degrees C) under controlled laboratory conditions during 58 and 90 days, respectively. The surface and sub-surface soil samples were respectively spiked with 1 and 0.01mgkg(-1) of 14C-acetochlor, the concentrations observed in previous field monitoring. The half-lives (DT50) varied from 1.4 to 14.9 days depending on the soil, temperature and applied concentration. The maximal mineralization (24%) was observed for the surface calcosol at 25 degrees C. The comparison of results obtained for sterilized and non-sterilized soils, the decrease of DT50 with the increase of temperature, the shape of CO2 emissions and the increase of number of aerobic endogenous microflora through the experiment suggested that biological process are dominant in degradation. A particular attention was paid to the formation and dissipation of metabolites ESA (ethanesulphonic acid) and OA (oxanilic acid) during the whole experiment. At 25 degrees C, ESA and OA were observed after three days, but as ESA concentration decreased over time in surface calcosol, it remained constant in surface neoluvisol. A difference in ESA/OA ratio depends on the soil with a predominance of OA in surface neoluvisol and a disappearance of OA in surface calcosol.

Controlled release of herbicide acetochlor from clay/carboxylmethylcellulose gel formulations

Controlled-release formulations of the herbicide acetochlor were prepared by using carboxylmethylcellulose (CMC) gel and different types of clay, which were obtained by acid activation, pillared with metal hydroxides, or saturated with organic cations. The effect of formulation parameters (amount and type of clay used, cross-linking time, and drying of the hydrogel formulations) on the acetochlor release rate from different formulations was evaluated by water-release studies. The time taken for 50% of acetochlor to be released, t 50, showed a wide variation (151-522 h) for dried gel formulations, the largest value corresponding to the formulation incorporating aluminum hydroxide pillared clay into CMC gels. The release rate of acetochlor from clay/CMC hydrogel formulations decreased with the increase of the hydrogels' cross-linking time (t50 values ranged from 2.18 to 14.0 h for cross-linking times ranging from 2.0 to 120 min). The performance of inorganic clays in dried gel formulations on slowing the release of acetochlor is related to their sorption capacities, but the addition of organic clay did not lead to the slowest release despite its highest sorption capacity. According to the parameters of an empirical equation used to fit herbicide-release data, the release of acetochlor from clay/CMC gel formulations is controlled by diffusion mechanism.

Toxic effects of albendazole on adenosine triphosphatase activity and ultrastructure in Eisenia fetida

Veterinary drug may influence soil fauna through manure excretion and subsequent application to agricultural field. The aim of this study is to determine the toxicity of albendozale (ABZ) on the whole earthworm as well as its different regions. Earthworms of Eisenia fetida were exposed to ABZ at 0, 100, 200, 400, and 600 mg kg(-1) concentrations; samples were taken at days 2, 7, and 14 exposure for determination of two adenosine triphosphatase (Na(+)-K(+)- and Mg(2+)-ATPase) activities and survival and growth rate. In addition, the ultrastructure of intestinal epithelium of the earthworms was examined after 14-day exposure. The survival and growth rate were reduced as compared to the control at the two highest concentrations (400 and 600 mg kg(-1)) after 7- and 14-day exposure. With increasing ABZ concentration, ATPase activities were inhibited significantly in the mid-part after 7 and 14 days and the posterior after 14 days. In particular, the inhibition effect was significant even at the lower treatment levels (100 and 200 mg kg(-1)) after 14 days. Both ATPase activities, however, were increased significantly in the anterior of earthworms at the highest concentration (600 mg kg(-1)) after 14 days. Ultrastructure observation in intestine epithelium in three concentrations (control, 100, 600 mg kg(-1)) revealed that mitochondria and smooth endoplasmic reticulum were damaged with increasing ABZ concentration. Some mitochondria was exhibited the damage of inner membrane at 100 mg kg(-1) and vacuolization at 600 mg kg(-1), which is consistent with ATPase activities inhibition. The investigation of enzymatic activities in different regions of earthworms and pathological alterations in the intestinal epithelium can provide important information in terms of toxic effects of soil contamination and be used as early warning systems.

Toxic effects of acetochlor, methamidophos and their combination on nifH gene in soil

Toxic effects of two agrochemicals on nifH gene in agricultural black soil were investigated using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and sequencing approaches in a microcosm experiment. Changes of soil nifH gene diversity and composition were examined following the application of acetochlor, methamidophos and their combination. Acetochlor reduced the nifH gene diversity (both in gene richness and diversity index values) and caused changes in the nifH gene composition. The effects of acetochlor on nifH gene were strengthened as the concentration of acetochlor increased. Cluster analysis of DGGE banding patterns showed that nifH gene composition which had been affected by low concentration of acetochlor (50 mg/kg) recovered firstly. Methamidophos reduced nifH gene richness that except at 4 weeks. The medium concentration of methamidophos (150 mg/kg) caused the most apparent changes in nifH gene diversity at the first week while the high concentration of methamidophos (250 mg/kg) produced prominent effects on nifH gene diversity in the following weeks. Cluster analysis showed that minimal changes of nifH gene composition were found at 1 week and maximal changes at 4 weeks. Toxic effects of acetochlor and methamidophos combination on nifH gene were also apparent. Different nifH genes (bands) responded differently to the impact of agrochemicals: four individual bands were eliminated by the application of the agrochemicals, five bands became predominant by the stimulation of the agrochemicals, and four bands showed strong resistance to the influence of the agrochemicals. Fifteen prominent bands were partially sequenced, yielding 15 different nifH sequences, which were used for phylogenetic reconstructions. All sequences were affiliated with the alpha- and beta-proteobacteria, showing higher similarity to eight different diazotrophic genera.

Biomarkers responses of the earthworm Eisenia fetida to acetochlor exposure in OECD soil

To examine the potential of a suite of biomarkers as early warning indicators of environmental pollution, sperm count, neutral red retention time (NRRT) and DNA damage were measured in earthworm Eisenia fetida exposed to increasing concentrations of acetochlor in OECD soil. The neutral red retention time of earthworms coelomocytes was sensitive to acetochlor pollution, and decreased significantly when the concentration was more than 10mgkg(-1) after 30 and 60 days of exposure (P<0.05). The reduced neutral red retention time correlated with the soil acetochlor residual. Sperm count decreased significantly at the concentrations of 40 and 80mgkg(-1) after 15 days of exposure (P<0.05). The DNA damage of earthworms coelomocytes increased significantly after 30 days of exposure at the highest concentration (80mgkg(-1); P<0.05). Earthworms were under physiological stress at field dose of acetochlor (10mgkg(-1)). Higher concentrations of acetochlor caused sperm count decrease and DNA damage of earthworms. Such a suite of biomarkers could serve as indicators of the health of the soil environment and to evaluate the toxicity of acetochlor on earthworms or as a means of monitoring soil acetochlor pollution.

The role of reactive oxygen species in the herbicide acetochlor-induced DNA damage on Bufo raddei tadpole liver

After exposure of Bufo raddei tadpoles to acetochlor (ACETO) for 14 days, malondialdehyde (MDA) and DNA-single strand break (DNA-SSB) in livers were analyzed. An enhanced accumulation of MDA suggests that ACETO causes oxidative stress, and the significant increase in the level of DNA-SSB indicates that ACETO induces DNA damage in a dose-dependent manner as well. On the basis of the fact that oxidative stress is caused by excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the present results, we speculate that ACETO-induced DNA damage may be a consequence of the generation of ROS. To evaluate this hypothesis, tadpoles were treated with ROS scavenger, N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) or melatonin (MEL), prior to ACETO exposure. The decrease of DNA-SSB level and the increase of total antioxidant capability (TAC) show that ACETO-caused DNA damage can be attenuated by NAC and MEL. In addition, a negative correlation was observed between the extent of DNA damage and the level of TAC in tadpole liver. In conclusion, the results suggest that ACETO-induced DNA damage is mediated by ROS.