Metallomic mapping of gut and brain in heavy metal exposed earthworms: A novel paradigm in ecotoxicology

Maxim A. Karpov, Carl Hobbs, Suwan N. Jayasinghe, Stephen R. Stürzenbaum*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

This study explored the uptake of lead in the epigeic earthworm Dendrobaena veneta exposed to 0, 1000, and 2500 μg Pb/g soil. The soil metal content was extracted using strong acid digestion and water leaching, and analysed by means of Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to estimate absolute and bioavailable concentrations of metals in the soil. The guts and heads of lead-exposed earthworms were processed into formalin-fixed and paraffin embedded sections for high-resolution multi-element metallomic imaging via Laser Ablation ICP-MS (LA-ICP-MS). Metallomic maps of phosphorus, zinc, and lead were produced at 15-μm resolution in the head and gut of D. veneta. Additional 4-μm resolution metallomic maps of the earthworm brains were taken, revealing the detailed localisation of metals in the brain. The Pb bioaccumulated in the chloragogenous tissues of the earthworm in a dose-dependent manner, making it possible to track the extent of soil contamination. The bioaccumulation of P and Zn in earthworm tissues was independent of Pb exposure concentration. This approach demonstrates the utility of LA-ICP-MS as a powerful approach for ecotoxicology and environmental risk assessments.

Original languageEnglish
Article number149827
JournalBiochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
Volume709
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 21 May 2024

Keywords

  • Chloragogenous tissues
  • Earthworm
  • Ecotoxicology
  • LA-ICP-MS
  • Lead bioaccumulation
  • Soil analysis

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Metallomic mapping of gut and brain in heavy metal exposed earthworms: A novel paradigm in ecotoxicology'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this