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Effect of conventional and biodegradable microplastics on earthworms during vermicomposting process

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Abstract

The potential effect of microplastics is an increasingly growing environmental issue. However, very little is known regarding the impact of microplastics on the vermicomposting process. The present study explored the effect of non-biodegradable (low density polyethylene; LDPE) and biodegradable (polybutylene succinate-co-adipate; PBSA) microplastics on earthworm Eisenia fetida during vermicomposting of cow dung. For this, earthworms were exposed to different concentrations (0, 0.5, 1 and 2%) of LDPE and PBSA of 2 mm size. The cow dung supported the growth and hatchlings of earthworms, and the toxicity effect of both LDPE and PBSA microplastics on Eisenia fetida was analyzed. Microplastics decreased the body weight of earthworms and there was no impact on hatchlings. The body weight of earthworm decreased from 0 to 60th day by 18.18% in 0.5% of LDPE treatment, 5.42% in 1% of LDPE, 20.58% in 2% of LDPE, 19.99% in 0.5% of PBSA, 15.09% in 1% of PBSA and 16.36% in 2% of PBSA. The physico-chemical parameters [pH (8.55–8.66), electrical conductivity (0.93–1.02 (S/m), organic matter (77.6–75.8%), total nitrogen (3.95–4.25 mg/kg) and total phosphorus (1.16–1.22 mg/kg)] do not show much significant changes with varying microplastics concentrations. Results of SEM and FTIR-ATR analysis observed the surface damage of earthworms, morphological and biochemical changes at higher concentrations of both LDPE and PBSA. The findings of the present study contribute to a better understanding of microplastics in vermicomposting system.

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Data availability

No datasets were generated or analysed during the current study.

Abbreviations

CD:

Cow dung

FTIR-ATR:

Fourier transformed infrared spectrometry with attenuated total reflectance

LDPE:

Low-density polyethylene

PBS:

Phosphate buffer saline

PBSA:

Polybutylene succinate-co-adipate

SEM:

Scanning electronic microscopy

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Acknowledgements

Sartaj Ahmad Bhat acknowledges the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) for the JSPS International Postdoctoral Fellowship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. River Basin Research Center, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, 501-1193, Japan

    Sartaj Ahmad Bhat, Yongfen Wei & Fusheng Li

  2. Graduate School of Engineering, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, 501-1193, Japan

    Zaw Min Han

  3. United Graduated School of Agricultural Science, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, 501-1193, Japan

    Shiamita Kusuma Dewi

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  1. Sartaj Ahmad Bhat
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Contributions

Sartaj Ahmad Bhat: Conceptualization, Investigation, Methodology, Writing—Original draft preparation. Zaw Min Han: Visualization, Writing—Reviewing and Editing. Shiamita Kusuma Dewi: Software, Writing—Reviewing and Editing. Yongfen Wei: Supervision, Writing—Reviewing and Editing. Fusheng Li: Validation, Supervision, Writing—Reviewing and Editing.

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Correspondence to Sartaj Ahmad Bhat or Yongfen Wei.

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Bhat, S.A., Han, Z.M., Dewi, S.K. et al. Effect of conventional and biodegradable microplastics on earthworms during vermicomposting process. Environ Geochem Health 46, 189 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-024-01974-9

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