Linking lysosomal biomarker and population responses in a field population of Aporrectodea caliginosa (Oligochaeta) exposed to the fungicide copper oxychloride
Date
2003
Authors
Maboeta M.S.
Reinecke S.A.
Reinecke A.J.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Abstract
The effects of the fungicide copper oxychloride on a field population of the earthworm Aporrectodea caliginosa were investigated. Changes were monitored in earthworm numbers and biomass, copper concentrations in soil and earthworms, and neutral red retention times (NRRTs) of coelomocytes. The aim was to establish whether the cellular responses could be linked to changes at the population level. Results indicated that there was a significant (P<0.05) impact on worm density and biomass on the treated plots 6 months after spraying with the fungicide stopped. NRRTs of treated earthworms were significantly lower after one spraying when earthworms had elevated concentrations of copper in their body tissues. Six months after spraying stopped, copper levels in both soil and earthworm tissues declined significantly, but the earthworm numbers and biomass were still significantly lower in the treated plots. This indicated that the effects of the copper oxychloride exposure manifested at a much later stage at the population level, than on NRRT. We conclude that the decrease in NRRTs, which preceded the decrease in both earthworm biomass and numbers, may have predictive value as a biomarker of impending population changes. © 2003 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Description
Keywords
biological marker, copper derivative, copper oxychloride, fungicide, neutral red, unclassified drug, biomarker, earthworm, ecotoxicology, fungicide, pollution exposure, population ecology, animal experiment, annelid worm, article, biomass, concentration (parameters), controlled study, earthworm, lysosome, nonhuman, prediction, soil, Animals, Biological Markers, Biomass, Copper, Environmental Exposure, Fungicides, Industrial, Indicators and Reagents, Neutral Red, Oligochaeta, Soil Pollutants, Aporrectodea, Pheretima sieboldi
Citation
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
56
3
56
3