Eco-toxicological Impact of Polypropylene Microplastics on the Earthworm Lampito mauritii: Effects on Growth and Vital Biomarkers.

The contribution of microplastics to the global market continues to grow and diversify. Consequently, it is important to evaluate the harmful effect of microplastics on ecosystems. Various types of earthworm species act as specific bioindicators of environmental disturbances. Primary goal of this experimental study was to investigate the persistent effects of small sized new and novel thermoplastic i.e. polypropylene on Lampito mauritii. This particular research examined the mortality rates, mass of body, fecundity ability as well as the tolerance ability of earthworm caused by polypropylene. The oxidative stress response of L. mauritii enzymes was assessed by the measuring the activities of guaiacol peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione-S-transferase. Throughout the 28-day treatment period, polypropylene caused no mortality in all treatment groups, but it affected the body mass of earthworms at higher concentration (8000 and 16000 mgkg- 1). As compared to control the highest decrease in body mass of L. mauritii was observed in 1600 mgkg- 1 (23%) followed by 8000 mgkg- 1 (11.21%) loss of body weight%. Likewise, the fecundity of L. mauritii decreased with increasing concentrations of polypropylene. Beyond the toxicity study, polypropylene induce oxidative stress and shows slightly declined in GST, SOD and CAT with increase in exposure concentration whereas the POD activity increases with increased in polypropylene dose.