Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Histological anomalies and alterations in enzyme activities of the earthworm Glyphidrillus tuberosus exposed to high concentrations of phosphogypsum

  • Published:
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Phosphogypsum (PG) is the major solid waste generated by phosphate fertilizer plants and is used worldwide as sulfur and calcium supplement in agricultural soil. Considering the probability of elevated doses of PG during agricultural applications, this study was carried out to assess its impact on the connective tissue, tissue cholinesterase (ChE) activity, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, and lipid peroxidation (LPX) level of the tropical earthworm Glyphidrillus tuberosus (Stephenson) found in abundance in the rice fields in India. Consistent loss of connective tissue and sloughing of the intestinal epithelium were observed in worms exposed to 10%, 15%, and 20% concentrations of PG in soil over an incubation period of 30 days. ChE, LDH activities, and the level of LPX indicated highly significant variation (p < 0.01) between pre and postclitellar regions of the worm and concentrations of treatment. ChE activity was higher in postclitellar with respect to preclitellar region; however, the values for LDH activity and LPX level were higher in preclitellar region in comparison to postclitellar region in both PG treated and control worms. It was concluded that PG concentration at and beyond 10% could cause damage to muscle fibers and bring about significant alterations in these enzyme activities in G.tuberosus thus affecting the physiology and ecological functions of these worms.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Agronika. (2005). Official publication of government of Odisha. India for fertilizer doses, 541–550.

  • Bagade, M. A., & Satone, S. R. (2012). An experimental investigation of partial replacement of cement by various percentage of Phosphogypsum in cement concrete. International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications (IJERA) ISSN, 2248–9622.

  • Bartlett, M. D., Briones, M. J., Neilson, R., Schmidt, O., Spurgeon, D., & Creamer, R. E. (2010). A critical review of current methods in earthworm ecology: from individuals to populations. European Journal of Soil Biology, 46(2), 67–73.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bawa, U., Bukar, A., Abdullahi, Y., & Samuel, A. (2016). The role of earthworms in soil structure, nutrients cycle and vermicomposting. ATBU Journal of Science, Technology and Education, 4(2), 149–156.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bednarska, A. J., Choczyński, M., Laskowski, R., & Walczak, M. (2017). Combined effects of chlorpyriphos, copper and temperature on acetylcholinesterase activity and toxicokinetics of the chemicals in the earthworm Eisenia fetida. Environmental Pollution, 220, 567–576.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Behera, A. K., Patnaik, A., Mishra, C., & Chhatria, M. (2017). Effect of phosphogypsum on growth and regeneration of earthworm with special reference to Eisenia fetida. PARIPEX – Indian Journal of Research, 6(8), 544–546.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bianeo, S., Ruggiero, G., Vitti, G. C. and Santus, P. R. (2008) Effects of phosphogypsum and potassium chloride on the nutritional status, production and orangoleptical quality of pineapple fruits. Proc. 3rd Int. Symp. On phosphogypsum. Orlando, Florida, FIPR. Publ. pp. 348–361.

  • Dittbrenner, N., Schmitt, H., Capowiez, Y., & Triebskorn, R. (2011). Sensitivity of Eisenia fetida in comparison to Aporrectodea caliginosa and Lumbricus terrestris after imidacloprid exposure. Body mass change and histopathology. Journal of Soils and Sediments, 11(6), 1000–1010.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ellman, G. L., Courtney, K. D., Andres Jr., V., & Featherstone, R. M. (1961). A new and rapid colorimetric determination of acetylcholinesterase activity. Biochemical Pharmacology, 7(2), 88–95.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hach, C. C., Bowden, B. K., Kopelove, A. B., & Brayton, S. V. (1987). More powerful peroxide Kjeldahl digestion method. Association of Official Analytical Chemists Journal (USA).

  • Ifemeje, J. C., Udedi, S. C., Okechukwu, A. U., Nwaka, A. C., Lukong, C. B., Anene, I. N., … & Ezeude, I. C. (2015). Determination of total protein, superoxide dismutase, catalase activity and lipid peroxidation in soil macro-fauna (earthworm) from Onitsha Municipal Open Waste Dump. Journal of Scientific Research and Reports, 6(5), 394–403.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jovanovic, A. M., Durst, S., & Nick, P. (2010). Plant cell division is specifically affected by nitrotyrosine. Journal of Experimental Botany, 61(3), 901–909.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kılıç, G. A. (2011). Histopathological and biochemical alterations of the earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris) as biomarker of soil pollution along Porsuk River Basin (Turkey). Chemosphere, 83(8), 1175–1180.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, B. T., Shin, K. H., Kim, J. Y., & Kim, K. W. (2008). Progress in earthworm ecotoxicology. In Advanced Environmental Monitoring (pp. 248–258). Dordrecht: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Lourenço, J. I., Pereira, R. O., Silva, A. C., Morgado, J. M., Carvalho, F. P., Oliveira, J. M., Malta, M. P., Paiva, A. A., Mendo, S. A., & Gonçalves, F. J. (2011). Genotoxic endpoints in the earthworms sub-lethal assay to evaluate natural soils contaminated by metals and radionuclides. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 186(1), 788–795.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mays, D. A., & Mortvedt, J. J. (1986). Crop response to soil applications of phosphogypsum 1. Journal of Environmental Quality, 15(1), 78–81.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mesić, M., Brezinščak, L., Zgorelec, Ž., Perčin, A., Šestak, I., Bilandžija, D., … & Lisac, H. (2016). The application of phosphogypsum in agriculture. Agriculturae Conspectus Scientificus, 81(1), 7–13.

  • Mikkelsen, R. U., Fredsted, A., Gissel, H., & Clausen, T. (2004). Excitation-induced Ca2+ influx and muscle damage in the rat: loss of membrane integrity and impaired force recovery. The Journal of Physiology, 559(1), 271–285.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Muangphra, P. and Gooneratne, R. (2011). Toxicity of commercial neem extract to earthworms (Pheretima peguana). Applied and Environmental Soil Science, 2011 Article ID 925950, 8 pages.

  • Nayak, S., Mishra, C. S. K., Guru, B. C., & Rath, M. (2011). Effect of phosphogypsum amendment on soil physico-chemical properties, microbial load and enzyme activities. Journal of Environmental Biology, 32, 613–617.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ohkawa, H., Ohishi, N., & Yagi, K. (1979). Assay for lipid peroxides in animal tissues by thiobarbituric acid reaction. Analytical Biochemistry, 95(2), 351–358.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Olsen, S. R. (1954). Estimation of available phosphorus in soils by extraction with sodium bicarbonate. Washington: United States Department of Agriculture.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oluah, N. S., Obiezue, R. N. N., Ochulor, A. J., & Onuoha, E. (2010). Toxicity and histopathological effect of atrazine (herbicide) on the earthworm Nsukkadrilus mbae under laboratory conditions. Animal Research International, 7(3), 1287–1293.

    Google Scholar 

  • Papastefanou, C., Stoulos, S., Ioannidou, A., & Manolopoulou, M. (2006). The application of phosphogypsum in agriculture and the radiological impact. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 89(2), 188–198.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rao, J. V., & Kavitha, P. (2004). Toxicity of azodrin on the morphology and acetylcholinesterase activity of the earthworm Eisenia foetida. Environmental Research, 96(3), 323–327.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rault, M., Mazzia, C., & Capowiez, Y. (2007). Tissue distribution and characterization of cholinesterase activity in six earthworm species. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 147(2), 340–346.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Samal, S., Sahoo, S., & Mishra, C. S. K. (2017). Morpho-histological and enzymatic alterations in earthworms Drawida willsi and Lampito mauritii exposed to urea, phosphogypsum and paper mill sludge. Chemistry and Ecology, 33(8), 762–776.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Solé, M., Baena, M., Arnau, S., Carrasson, M., Maynou, F., & Cartes, J. E. (2010). Muscular cholinesterase activities and lipid peroxidation levels as biomarkers in several Mediterranean marine fish species and their relationship with ecological variables. Environment International, 36(2), 202–211.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Soratto, R. P., & Crusciol, C. A. (2008). Dolomite and phosphogypsum surface application effects on annual crops nutrition and yield. Agronomy Journal, 100(2), 261–270.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wacker, W. E., Ulmer, D. D., & Vallee, B. L. (1956). Metalloenzymes and myocardial infarction: malic and lactic dehydrogenase activities and zinc concentrations in serum. New England Journal of Medicine, 255(10), 449–456.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Walkley, A., & Black, I. A. (1934). An examination of the Degtjareff method for determining soil organic matter, and a proposed modification of the chromic acid titration method. Soil Science, 37(1), 29–38.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, B. G., Rouland, C., Lattaud, C., & Lavelle, P. (1993). Activity and origin of digestive enzymes in gut of the tropical earthworm Pontoscolex corethrurus [glucidic digestive enzymes; ingested micro-organisms, in vitro tissue culture]. European Journal of Soil Biology (France), 29, 7–11.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to Prof. R.K. Das, Head of the Department of Anatomy and Histology, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, India for his help in tissue preparation and sectioning.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, College of Basic Science and Humanities, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, 751003, India

    Soumya Nayak, C. S. K. Mishra & Suryasikha Samal

  2. Post Graduate Department of Zoology, Utkal University, Vani Vihar, Bhubaneswar, 751004, India

    B. C. Guru

Authors
  1. Soumya Nayak
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. C. S. K. Mishra
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. B. C. Guru
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Suryasikha Samal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Suryasikha Samal.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

This article does not contain any studies with human participants performed by any of the authors. No ethical approval is required for this study.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Nayak, S., Mishra, C.S.K., Guru, B.C. et al. Histological anomalies and alterations in enzyme activities of the earthworm Glyphidrillus tuberosus exposed to high concentrations of phosphogypsum. Environ Monit Assess 190, 529 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-018-6933-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-018-6933-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation