Biochemical response of earthworm, Eisenia fetida to heavy metals toxicity

Soil heavy metal pollution is widespread and has severe adverse effects on soil organisms. Earthworms are the major organisms which perform several beneficial ecological functions butare vulnerable to damage from of soil. The present study was conducted evaluate potential toxicity arsenic (As) chromium (Cr) biochemical response earthworm, Eisenia fetida. Following exposure various sub-lethal concentrations ofAs (34, 68, 102 136 mg/kg) Cr(26, 51, 77 mg/kg ) for 28 days, levels markers, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) malondialdehyde (MDA) content were assessed. results showed that both metals significantly (p<0.05) impacted antioxidant enzyme activities MDA during entire period. Compared with control, SOD, CAT, POD GST increased by (6.21-23.23, 6.32-18.6, 15.87-34.18 0.84-5.45% respectively) at14th day, but after prolonged exposure, these decreased (9.58-38.13, 10.09-30.03, 19.05-53.16 2.26-9.36% at 28th day. contents significant increase (17.84-45.59%) in all groups Therefore, it can be concluded antioxidants play a direct role adaptive E. fetida survival contaminated This used as an important biomarker assess ecosystems.