Xenobiotic Bioconcentration in Terrestrial Oligochaetes to Evaluate Soil Quality

Authors

  • M Aja Guest lecturer, Department of Zoology, Sree Krishna College, Guruvayur, Kerala 680602, India
  • M Jaya Department of Zoology, Sree Kerala Varma College, Thrissur, Kerala, India
  • C B Prasanth Department of Statistics, Sree Kerala Varma College, Thrissur, Kerala, India
  • P P Santhosh Department of Zoology, Sree Krishna College, Guruvayur, Kerala 680602, India
  • R Brinesh Department of Zoology, Sree Krishna College, Guruvayur, Kerala 680602, India
  • R Raji Department of Zoology, Sree Krishna College, Guruvayur, Kerala 680602, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48165/bpas.2023.42A.2.1

Keywords:

Megascolecidae, Glossoscolecidae, Organochlorine pesticides, Organophosphorus pesticides, lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd)

Abstract

Excessive use of pesticides, heavy metals, and  detergents may have negative effects on non-target  organisms in soil and water and may seriously harm  ecosystems. A total of 181 earthworm specimens from  various habitats were gathered from three separate  locations, namely the Anthikkad and Chalakudi locality  in the Thrissur district and the Meenangadi locality in  Wayanad. We were able to identify four different  earthworm species which belonged to two distinct  families and four different genera. Thereafter from this  study it was clear that the Density of different species of  earthworm (P. sansibaricus and L. mauritii) collected from  study areas are same. Pb was found to be undetectable  in earthworm samples from study sites out of the four  pollutants evaluated. Earthworm samples from  Anthikkad and Meenangadi sites had the greatest levels  of the heavy element Zn. Of the 32 pesticides tested, 4  organochlorine pesticides and 4 organophosphorus  pesticides were found to be at in samples collected from  two different districts. By statistical analysis it was  concluded that soil samples from all the sites (As, Cs &  Ms) were homogeneous. It is not essential to be exposed  to a large concentration of xenobiotics for the bodily  tissues to become toxic; by extending the exposure  period, the concentration can rise to dangerous levels.  One more sensitive and early-warning biomarker of  ecosystem health is the observation of earthworm  immunological capability. 

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References

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Published

2023-12-20

Issue

Vol. 42 No. 2 (2023): Bulletin of Pure and Applied Sciences-Zoology (Jul-Dec) 2023

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Xenobiotic Bioconcentration in Terrestrial Oligochaetes to Evaluate Soil Quality . (2023). Bulletin of Pure & Applied Sciences- Zoology , 42(2), 214–223. https://doi.org/10.48165/bpas.2023.42A.2.1