Xenobiotic Bioconcentration in Terrestrial Oligochaetes to Evaluate Soil Quality

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