Avoidance, weight loss, and cocoon production assessment for Eisenia fetida exposed to C₆₀ in soil.

Eisenia fetida was used as a model terrestrial organism to assess the potential ecotoxicity of molecular pristine C₆₀ in soil. Reproduction (assessed by counting cocoon numbers) was hindered only at very high C₆₀ concentrations (5% by weight), and C₆₀ (up to 1%) was not avoided and did not hinder earthworm growth. This suggests that E. fetida is unlikely to experience acute toxicity as a result of C₆₀ occurrence in soil. Whether sublethal toxicity may decrease earthworm populations that are chronically exposed to C₆₀ at lower concentrations remains to be determined.