ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Effects of ZnO, TiO2 or Fe2O3 Nanoparticles
on the Body Mass, Reproduction,
and Survival of Eisenia fetida
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1
Sustainability of Natural Resources and Energy Program, Cinvestav-Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico
2
Colegio de Postgraduados, Campus Montecillo, Carretera Mexico-Texcoco, Mexico
3
Transdisciplinary Doctoral Program in Scientific and Technological Development for Society, Cinvestav,
Zacatenco, Mexico City, Mexico
4
Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico
Submission date: 2017-11-30
Final revision date: 2018-03-01
Acceptance date: 2018-12-11
Online publication date: 2020-02-10
Publication date: 2020-03-31
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2020;29(3):2383-2394
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ABSTRACT
The increasing production of nanoparticles and its byproducts bring as a priority the necessity
of understanding the interaction between earthworms and nanoparticles (NPs) in an agricultural soil.
The present study addresses the effects of ZnO-, TiO2- or Fe2O3-NPs in the body mass change, reproduction
and survival of Eisenia fetida. Earthworms were exposed to increasing concentrations of each NPs
(0.0, 0.15 and 0.3 g NPs kg-1 dry soil, in an amended soil while total and bioavailable Zn, Ti and Fe were
monitored in an aerobic incubation experiment of 60 days. Earthworms exposed to 0.15 g TiO2-NPs
kg-1 dry soil and 0.3 g ZnO-NPs kg-1 dry soil did not lead to adults’ deaths. However, when soil was
amended with 0.15 g Fe2O3-NPs kg-1 dry soil the survival decreased significantly compared with the
control treatment. Cocoon production was not significantly different between treatments, suggesting that
NPs have no effect on earthworm reproduction. ZnO-NPs at 0.3 g kg-1 dry soil enhanced juveniles on
growing and survival. Although bioaccumulation of Ti in earthworm biomass was not statically different
in treatments spiked with TiO2-NPs, there were significant differences between treatments amended
with different doses of ZnO- and Fe2O3-NPs, showing that bioaccumulation of Zn and Fe in earthworms
increases on par with dose. Meanwhile, the Fe bioaccumulation was significantly lower in earthworms
exposed to Fe2O3-NPs than those in the control group.