Glutathione-S-Transferase Production in Earthworm as Tool for Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution in Abattoir Soil

Abstract

Abstract:The use of direct response of animals to environmental challenges by production of biomarkers is a better tool to assess environmental pollution than the conventional methods. This study aimed to measure Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in earthworms as tools for assessing heavy metal pollution in abattoir soil. Five (5) replicates each of earthworm species (Libyodrilus violaceous, Eudrilus eugeniae and Alma millsoni), soil and rumen waste samples were collected from three (3) abattoir sites (Lafenwa, Gbonogun and Madojutimi abattoirs), and a control site located within Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, beside an undisturbed stream with no rumen waste. Heavy metal (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni and Mn) concentrations in rumen waste, abattoir soils and earthworm tissues were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The pH and organic matter (OM) concentrations of the rumen waste and abattoir soils were determined by standard methods. GST activities in the earthworm tissues were determined through the conjugation of 1 mM reduced glutathione (GSH) with 1 mM 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB). The rumen waste recorded significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) % OM, heavy metal concentrations and pH level than in their respective abattoir soils. The mean heavy metal concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd and Mn were highest in the tissue of earthworm species obtained from Lafenwa abattoir. A significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher GST activities were recorded in the tissue of earthworm species obtained from Lafenwa and Gbonogun abattoirs. Libyodrilous violaceus obtained from Lafenwa abattoir recorded the highest GST activity (8.47±1.39) in their tissue followed by the ones from Gbonogun abattoir (8.21±0.85). A significant (p ≤ 0.05) positive correlations was observed between GST activities in earthworm tissues and heavy metal concentrations. GST activities can therefore be used to assess the level of heavy metal pollution in abattoir soils. Rev. Biol. Trop. 64 (2): 779-789. Epub 2016 June 01.

Influence of Abattoir Wastes on Soil Microbial and Physicochemical Properties

“…These ranges are higher than 0.69 -7.42% reported by [3] for abattoir soils and is inconsistent with values obtained by [57] but lower than 5.57 -24.13% obtained by [5]. Values of OM obtained in studied abattoir soils were also higher than values at Control which is consistent with the report by [58] and [59]. This disparity may be attributed to the absence of biodegradable wastes at the Control site thereby indicating that; waste materials from abattoir may increase the OM of soil significantly.…”

Biochemical response and vermiremediation assessment of three earthworm species (Alma millsoni, Eudrilus eugeniae and Libyodrilus violaceus) in soil contaminated with a glyphosate-based herbicide

“…To this effect, earthworms have been used in ecotoxicological risks monitoring and as bio-indicator of lethal and non-lethal pollutants including heavy metals in environments (Georgescu et al, 2011), mine site (Honsi et al, 2003) and sawmill soil (Bamidele et al, 2015). In our previous studies, we used earthworms to monitor the level of pollution in abattoir soil (Owagboriaye et al, 2016;Dedeke et al, 2016). Earthworms have been used to evaluate organophosphates pollution in soil (O'Halloran et al, 1999).…”

“…In addition, we also assessed the vermiremediation potential of the earthworm species in the contaminated soil in order to mitigate the potential impact of the herbicide. These earthworm species are native to Africa and commonly found in the soils of agricultural, industrial and residential areas in Nigeria and have been proven to be a good indicator of environmental pollution in sawmills (Bamidele et al, 2015; and abattoir area (Owagboriaye et al, 2016;Dedeke et al, 2016).…”

Impacts of a glyphosate-based herbicide on the gut microbiome of three earthworm species (Alma millsoni, Eudrilus eugeniae and Libyodrilus violaceus): A pilot study

“…1 B-C) were established in the pails and labeled accordingly. These earthworm species are native to Africa and commonly found in the soils of agricultural, industrial and residential areas in Nigeria [ 29 ]. E. eugeniae is an epigeic species while A. millsoni and L. violaceus are endogeic species.…”