Investigation of Toxic Effects of Phosmet on Eisenia fetida (Annelida, Clitellata)
Project no. 31935 · Status: Kapanmış (Yayın bekleniyor) · 2023
Summary
<p>The increasing use of pesticides is causing serious concerns about ecological damage. Phosmet, an organophosphate pesticide, is widely used, especially in fruit and vegetable cultivation. However, this widespread use results in the environment residues and soil contamination. In this study, the toxicity of Phosmet was investigated using <em>Eisenia fetida</em>, a bioindicator species that plays a key role in soil ecosystems and is widely used in ecotoxicological risk assessments. <em>E. fetida</em> individuals were divided into groups; negative control (0 mg/kg), solvent control (0 mg/kg), and experimental groups exposed to 5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, and 20 mg/kg of Phosmet. Exposure durations were 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. The experiments were conducted in triplicate. On each specified day, individuals were collected for analysis, and samples were taken from two different regions—the clitellum and the posterior body (behind the clitellum). Histological sections were prepared, and both histopathological and biochemical analyses were performed. Degeneration and various structural abnormalities were observed in different tissue regions, depending on the pesticide concentration and duration of exposure. Biochemical analyses supported these histological results, revealing significant decreases in total protein, carbohydrate, and lipid levels following Phosmet exposure. Additionally, to evaluate the oxidative stress caused by Phosmet, the activities of catalase, glutathione S-transferase and superoxide dismutase enzymes were measured, revealing significant increases in enzyme activity with increasing Phosmet concentrations. These results contribute to understanding the potential effects of pesticides on soil health and ecosystem balance, while also providing important data for the development of sustainable agricultural practices</p>