method of vermicomposting minimizes the problem of nonutilization of agro waste
(Kale 2000).
Earthworm is a ubiquitous animal species that represents the maximum proportion of soil faunal biomass. They are known to maintain the ecological functions of
soil (Andriuzzi et al. 2016) and also enhance the soil fertility and nutrient cycling
(Hoang et al. 2016). Earthworms are universally designated as an indicator species
of ecosystem during several ecotoxicological studies (Xu et al. 2010). Earthworms
can be used for “early warning” or “diagnosis” of soil pollution (Velki and
Hackenberger 2013). Epigeic earthworm species, Eisenia fetida (Savigny 1826),
are used in many ecotoxicological studies as they have a high reproductive rate, short
life cycle, and fine sensitivity to variety of toxicants. According to Nahmani et al.
(2007), Eisenia fetida is the best model organism for analyzing the soil toxicity and
is also used in various standardized toxicity tests (ISO 1998).
Earthworms have been used to analyze biochemical responses of pesticides,
heavy metals, polychlorinated biphenyls, and polycyclic hydrocarbons (Łaszczyca
et al. 2004) and have an ability to accumulate adequate quantities of inorganic and
organic pollutants in their bodies (Hobbelen et al. 2006). Different earthworm
species are also used to analyze the oxidative stress caused by numerous toxic
pollutants (Chen et al. 2011) and to estimate the biological biomarkers such as
lipid peroxidation, activity of antioxidant enzymes, and DNA damage (Liu et al.
2012). An imbalance between generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and their
neutralization results in the elevated levels of reactive oxygen species, which results
to oxidative stress. The toxic levels of ROS can cause serious damage to macromolecules (Kelly et al. 1998). These reactive oxygen species are responsible in normal
physiology of every cell. The reactive oxygen species react with the macromolecules, and the cells have a capability to counteract them through the production of
antioxidant molecules such as glutathione or through the induction of various
antioxidant enzymes, including catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase (Saint-Denis et al. 1998). The antioxidant enzymes
protect the cells from oxidative damage caused by ROS and are considered the
important biomarkers for evaluating the environmental impact of the toxic substances (Ferreira-Cravo et al. 2009).
The main objective of this chapter is to examine the capability of earthworm,
Eisenia fetida, to convert Parthenium hysterophorus-mixed cow dung into a useful
manure by analyzing various physicochemical parameters of final product, to analyze oxidative damage caused by parthenium weed in earthworms, and furthermore,
to study the histomorphological alterations induced by P. hysterophorus on the
intestine of Eisenia fetida.
15 Waste Management Practices and Their Impact on Earthworms
249
(Kale 2000).
Earthworm is a ubiquitous animal species that represents the maximum proportion of soil faunal biomass. They are known to maintain the ecological functions of
soil (Andriuzzi et al. 2016) and also enhance the soil fertility and nutrient cycling
(Hoang et al. 2016). Earthworms are universally designated as an indicator species
of ecosystem during several ecotoxicological studies (Xu et al. 2010). Earthworms
can be used for “early warning” or “diagnosis” of soil pollution (Velki and
Hackenberger 2013). Epigeic earthworm species, Eisenia fetida (Savigny 1826),
are used in many ecotoxicological studies as they have a high reproductive rate, short
life cycle, and fine sensitivity to variety of toxicants. According to Nahmani et al.
(2007), Eisenia fetida is the best model organism for analyzing the soil toxicity and
is also used in various standardized toxicity tests (ISO 1998).
Earthworms have been used to analyze biochemical responses of pesticides,
heavy metals, polychlorinated biphenyls, and polycyclic hydrocarbons (Łaszczyca
et al. 2004) and have an ability to accumulate adequate quantities of inorganic and
organic pollutants in their bodies (Hobbelen et al. 2006). Different earthworm
species are also used to analyze the oxidative stress caused by numerous toxic
pollutants (Chen et al. 2011) and to estimate the biological biomarkers such as
lipid peroxidation, activity of antioxidant enzymes, and DNA damage (Liu et al.
2012). An imbalance between generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and their
neutralization results in the elevated levels of reactive oxygen species, which results
to oxidative stress. The toxic levels of ROS can cause serious damage to macromolecules (Kelly et al. 1998). These reactive oxygen species are responsible in normal
physiology of every cell. The reactive oxygen species react with the macromolecules, and the cells have a capability to counteract them through the production of
antioxidant molecules such as glutathione or through the induction of various
antioxidant enzymes, including catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase (Saint-Denis et al. 1998). The antioxidant enzymes
protect the cells from oxidative damage caused by ROS and are considered the
important biomarkers for evaluating the environmental impact of the toxic substances (Ferreira-Cravo et al. 2009).
The main objective of this chapter is to examine the capability of earthworm,
Eisenia fetida, to convert Parthenium hysterophorus-mixed cow dung into a useful
manure by analyzing various physicochemical parameters of final product, to analyze oxidative damage caused by parthenium weed in earthworms, and furthermore,
to study the histomorphological alterations induced by P. hysterophorus on the
intestine of Eisenia fetida.
15 Waste Management Practices and Their Impact on Earthworms
249