Ecotoxicological effects on the earthworm Eisenia fetida following exposure to soil contaminated with imidacloprid

Imidacloprid, a neonicotinoid insecticide, has been used widely in agriculture worldwide. The adverse effects of imidacloprid on exposed biota have brought it increasing attention. However, knowledge about the effects of imidacloprid on antioxidant defense systems and digestive systems in the earthworm is vague and not comprehensive. In the present study, the changes in the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), cellulase, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the earthworm Eisenia fetida exposed to artificial soil treated with imidacloprid were examined systematically. The results showed that the activity of these biomarkers was closely related to the dose and duration of the exposure to imidacloprid. The activity of SOD was stimulated significantly at doses of 0.66 and 2 mg kg⁻¹ imidacloprid but markedly inhibited at a dose of 4 mg kg⁻¹ imidacloprid with prolonged exposure. The activities of CAT and POD increased irregularly at 0.2–4 mg kg⁻¹ imidacloprid over different exposure times. The level of ROS at a dose of 2 or 4 mg kg⁻¹ imidacloprid was significantly increased over the entire exposure period. When the concentration of imidacloprid was above 0.66 mg kg⁻¹, the balance of the activity of the antioxidant enzymes and ROS level was interrupted. The activity of cellulase decreased significantly with prolonged exposure. At the stress of 4 mg kg⁻¹ imidacloprid, the content of MDA was significantly increased with increasing exposure time. The results of the present study suggest that imidacloprid has a potentially harmful effect on E. fetida and may be helpful for assessment of the risk of imidacloprid to the soil ecosystem environment. However, to obtain more comprehensive toxicity data, it is necessary to investigate the effects of imidacloprid on earthworm using native soils in the future work.