Do emerging alternatives pose similar soil ecological risks as traditional plasticizers? A multi-faceted analysis using earthworms as a case study.

The extensive application of plasticizers has led to significant environmental issues. This study focused on the ecotoxic effects on earthworms of the traditional plasticizer di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and non-phthalate plasticizers di(ethylhexyl) terephthalate (DEHT) and acetyltributyl citrate (ATBC). At an environmentally relevant concentration (50 mg/kg), significant accumulation of ROS was observed in earthworms, with a trend of DEHP > DEHT > ATBC, inducing oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation.

Fosthiazate, a soil-applied nematicide, induces oxidative stress, neurotoxicity and transcriptome aberrations in earthworm (Eisenia fetida).

Fosthiazate is a widely used organophosphorus nematicide that resides in the soil and controls soil root-knot nematodes. However, whether it has toxic effects on non-target soil organisms such as earthworms is unclear. Therefore, in this study, a 28-day experiment of fosthiazate exposure was conducted using the Eisenia fetida as the model organism.

Ecotoxicological risk of co-exposure to fosthiazate and microplastics on earthworms (Eisenia fetida): Integrating biochemical and transcriptomic analyses.

Fosthiazate (FOS) is a widely used organophosphorus insecticide effective against soil root-knot nematodes. However, its ecotoxicity to non-target soil organisms, particularly in combination with microplastics (MPs), is unclear. This study explores the toxic-effects and molecular mechanisms of co-exposure to FOS and MPs on earthworms (Eisenia fetida) using multilevel toxicity endpoints and transcriptomics.