A Comparative Study of Zinc Oxide Nanotoxicity on Reproductive Potential of an Earthworm in Natural and Artificial Substrates

The toxic impacts of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on reproductive potential of the earthworm, Eisenia fetida were studied in relation to varying temperature and pH in natural (NS) and artificial substrate (AS). The ZnO NPs decreased cocoon production, hatching and rate of reproduction as a function of increasing concentration, temperature and exposure period. The gradation of temperature and pH to get a better reproductive potential was found to be [Formula: see text]C and [Formula: see text], respectively. Cocoon production was higher in NS than the AS. It may be due to sufficient food availability in NS. Survival of adult worms was decreased with increase in ZnO NPs and exposure period. The rate of reproduction was significantly higher in NS as compared to AS at [Formula: see text]C. The present findings suggested that ZnO NPs retard the reproductive potential of E. fetida and may also be hazardous to pedoecosystem and fauna living there in. Temperature of [Formula: see text]C, pH 6.5 and NS as vermibed were the most suitable conditions to maintain worthy rate of reproduction and reduce ZnO NPs toxicity.