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Updated: Dec 28, 2025

Separation and Identification of Conventional Microplastics from Farmland Soils

Separation and Identification of Conventional Microplastics from Farmland Soils

Published on: March 21, 2025

Enchytraeus crypticus Avoid Soil Spiked with Microplastic.

Stephan Pflugmacher^1,2,3, Johanna H Huttunen^1,2, Marya-Anne von Wolff^2,4

¹Aquatic Ecotoxicology in an Urban Environment, Ecosystems and Environment Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Niemenkatu 73, 15140 Lahti, Finland.

|February 14, 2020

Summary

Earthworms avoid contaminated soil and show oxidative stress when exposed to microplastics (MPs). This response is likely due to changes in soil properties, not direct consumption or chemical leaching.

Keywords:

&lt /i&gt Enchytraeus crypticus&lt avoidance test catalase enchytraeids glutathione S-transferase i&gt microplastic oxidative stress toxicity

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Published on: October 30, 2018

Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Ecotoxicology
Soil Ecology

Background:

Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive environmental pollutants, with smaller sizes often presumed to pose greater risks due to increased uptake.
Understanding the physiological and physical responses of soil organisms to MP contamination is crucial for ecological risk assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the behavioral and physiological responses of the soil invertebrate Enchytraeus crypticus to high-density polyethylene microplastic contamination in soil.
To determine if microplastic presence induces avoidance behavior and physiological stress in Enchytraeids.

Main Methods:

An area choice experiment (avoidance test) was conducted using Enchytraeus crypticus exposed to varying concentrations of 4 mm high-density polyethylene microplastic particles mixed into soil.
Physiological stress was assessed by measuring the activity of antioxidative enzymes, specifically catalase and glutathione S-transferase.

Main Results:

Enchytraeids consistently avoided microplastic-spiked soil sections, preferring unspiked areas or lower MP concentrations.
Worms in contact with microplastics exhibited elevated levels of oxidative stress, indicated by increased activity of catalase and glutathione S-transferase.

Conclusions:

Enchytraeids demonstrate avoidance behavior and physiological stress responses to microplastic contamination in soil.
Given the particle size and short exposure, altered soil properties, rather than direct ingestion or chemical leaching, are the probable cause of observed effects.