The aim of this work is to evaluate the effect of Parthenium-mediated compost on Eudrilus eugeniae during the process of vermicomposting. Nine different concentrations of Parthenium hysterophorus and cow dung mixtures were used to assess toxicity. The earthworms’ growth, fecundity and antioxidant enzyme levels were analysed every 15 days. The antioxidant activities of enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)], considered as biomarkers, indicate the biochemical and oxidative stresses due to the toxin from Parthenium weeds. The earthworms’ growth, biomass gain, cocoon production and antioxidant enzymes were in a low level in a high concentration of P. hysterophorus (without cow dung). The results clearly indicated that appropriate mixing of P. hysterophorus quantity is an essential factor for the survival of earthworms without causing any harm.

Green crabs (Carcinus, Portunidae) include two species native to Europe—Carcinus aestuarii (Mediterranean species) and Carcinus maenas (Atlantic species). These small shore crabs (maximal length carapace, approximately 10 cm) show rapid growth, high fecundity, and long planktonic larval stages that facilitate broad dispersion. Carcinus spp. have a high tolerance to fluctuations of environmental factors including oxygen, salinity, temperature, xenobiotic compounds, and others. Shipping of Carcinus spp. over the past centuries has resulted in its invasions of America, Asia, and Australia. Classified as one of the world’s 100 worst invaders by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, Carcinus spp. are the most widely distributed intertidal crabs in the world. Their voracious predatory activity makes them strong interactors in local communities, and they are recognized as a model for invasiveness in marine systems as well as a sentinel species in ecotoxicology. This review shows an exhaustive analysis of the literature on the life cycle, diversity, physiological tolerance, genomic investigations, ecotoxicological use, historical invasion, control programs, and putative economical valorization of shore crabs.

The re-emergence of schistosomiasis has given rise to ubiquitous concentrations of the primary control agent pentachlorophenol (PCP) in the environment, especially in the surface waters of China. In this study, the effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of PCP, namely, 0.0002, 0.002, 0.02, 0.2, and 2 μmol/L on survival, age at first reproduction, fecundity, length of mothers, and number of molts of Daphnia magna were studied over three generations. The survival of D. magna exposed to 2 μmol/L was significantly affected in the three generations. Toxic effects were enhanced in later generations. Age at first reproduction of F₁and F₂D. magna was significantly slower than that of the controls. The total number of offspring per female exposed to concentrations of 0.002 μmol/L or greater was less (23.5 to 67.6, 9.4 to 73.7, and 3.6 to 83.7 %) than that of the controls in the F₀, F₁, and F₂generations, respectively. The body length of mothers significantly decreased (4.7 to 6.8, 9.6 to 15.1, and 13.3 to 23.2 %) after exposure to 0.002 μmol/L or greater than those of unexposed individuals in the F₀, F₁, and F₂generations, respectively. Dose–response relationships between concentrations of PCP and length and number of molts of D. magna were observed in the F₀to F₂generations. PCP concentrations on the surface waters of China caused adverse effects to D. magna, which increased over successive generations. Significant effects were observed in the third generation. The multigenerational studies were more sensitive than the single-generation experiments. Thus, multigenerational exposure may be more predictive of chronic exposure under field conditions.

Genotoxicity of pressmud (PM) to Allium cepa was investigated to assess its toxic potential and to elucidate the effect of vermicomposting to reduce its toxicity. The PM produced as a waste by product of the sugar cane industry was mixed with cow dung (CD) at different ratios of 0:100 (V₀), 25:75 (V₂₅), 50:50 (V₅₀), 75:25 (V₇₅) and 100:0 (V₁₀₀) (PM:CD) on a dry weight basis for vermicomposting with Eisenia fetida. Different concentrations of 100 % PM sludge extract (10 %, 20 %, 40 %, 60 %, 80 % and 100 %) and negative control (distilled water) and positive control (maleic hydrazide) were analyzed with A. cepa assay to evaluate frequency of chromosomal aberrations before and after vermicomposting. Percent aberration was greatest (30.8 %) after exposure to 100 % PM extract after 6 h but was reduced to 20.3 % after vermicomposting. Exposure to the extract induced c-mitosis, delayed anaphase, laggards, stickiness and vagrant aberrations. Microscopic examination of root meristem exposed to PM sludge extract showed significant inhibition of mitotic index. Also, the mitotic index decreased with increase in concentration of PM sludge extract. After vermicomposting the mitotic index was increased. However, increasing percentages of PM significantly affected the growth and fecundity of the worms and maximum population size was reached in the 25:75 (PM:CD) feed mixture. Nitrogen, phosphorus, sodium, electrical conductivity (EC) and pH increased from initial feed mixture to the final products (i.e., vermicompost), while organic carbon, C/N ratio and potassium declined in all products of vermicomposting. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was recorded to identify the changes in texture with numerous surface irregularities and high porosity that proves to be good vermicompost manure. It could be concluded that vermicomposting could be an important tool to reduce the toxicity of PM as evidenced by the results of genotoxicity.