Abstract
Acid rain has become one of the major global environmental problems, and some researches reported that acid rain may have a certain inhibition on soil biodiversity. Besides this, it is well known that earthworm (Eisenia fetida) plays an important role in the functioning of soil ecosystems. For this point, we conducted a series of experiments to investigate whether acid rain would take effects on earthworms. In the present study, the earthworms were incubated on filter paper and in soil under acid rain stress. The mortality and behavior of earthworms were recorded, and epidermal damage and the activity of the CYP3A4 enzyme were measured for the tested earthworms. Our experimental results showed that the earthworms could not survive in the acid rain stress of pH below 2.5, and acid rain with weak acidity (i.e., 4.0 ≤ pH ≤ 5.5) promoted the activity of the CYP3A4 enzyme in the earthworms, while acid rain with strong acidity (i.e., 3.0 ≤ pH ≤ 3.5) inhibited it. Moreover, the degree of damage in sensitive parts of the earthworms increased with the decrease of pH value. This study suggests that acid rain can cause discomfort response and the direct epidermal damage of earthworms, and even kill them.
Highlights
In the last decades of the twentieth century, acid rain was identified as one of the most serious environmental problems [1]
In this study, based on the situation of acid rain in Guangzhou, China, we investigated the effect of acid rain on Eisenia fetida
Thethe data suggest acid rain could cause ecotoxicity to rain the earthworms, As can be seen from results, in athat short period, in medium-intensity acid treatments
Summary
In the last decades of the twentieth century, acid rain was identified as one of the most serious environmental problems [1]. Chen et al [9] indicated that in the whole growing season of early rice, the effect of acid rain on total organic carbon (TOC) content of the soil was not significant (p < 0.05). Certain pollutants in the environment can induce or inhibit CYP (Cytochrome P450), resulting in changes in enzyme activity, which in turn affects the metabolism of itself and other substances. The short-term filter paper experiment (72 h) and soil experiment (15 days) were used to clarify the physiological responses of the earthworms, and the activity of the CYP3A4 enzyme in the earthworms under acid rain stress (with a pH of 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 7.0) was studied. We hypothesized that acid rain would cause adverse effects on the earthworms by damaging the epidermis and changing physiological characteristics, such as the activity of the CYP3A4 enzyme.
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