Assessment Toxicity of Soils from Areas with Mining Activity Through the Stability of the Lysosomal Membrane and Avoidance Behavior in the Earthworm Eisenia fetida.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of soils from areas with mining activity on the stability of the lysosomal membrane and avoidance behavior in the worm Eisenia fetida. Texture, organic material, conductivity and pH were determined in soils. The total concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni, As and Hg were determined in tissues of E. fetida and in soils. Neutral red retention time (NRRT) was determined in hemocytes, and behavior with the avoidance test, in the earthworm. Cu (1563 ± 58 mg kg) and Zn (135 ± 9 mg kg) had the highest mean concentrations in the soils, while Hg (0.01 ± 0.001 mg kg) had the lowest concentration in all the soils. The soil with the highest Cu concentration produced an avoidance of > 80%. Most of the soils produced a significant loss of the stability of the lysosomal membrane. The variables organic material and sand would facilitate habitat selection in E. fetida, In conclusion, the soils have chemical agents in bioavailable concentrations that provoke adverse cellular effects and evasion behavior. We propose the use of both response variables as early alerts in the evaluation of soils.