Physiological effect of exposure to nonylphenol polyethylene glycol ether on Eisenia foetida

An acute contact test and an artificial soil test was conducted to study lethal and oxidizing effects of nonylphenol polyethylene glycol ether (NPEO) on earthworm (Eisenia foetida). Results show that the 48-h median lethal dose of NPEO was 0. 58 mg • L-1. The artificial soil test shows that NPEO induced the activity of CAT and GST and increased the content of GSH and MDA. After 28 hours of exposure, CAT and GST activities and GSH content was found to be positively related to the concentration of NPEO (P <0. 05). However, increased NPEO concentration slightly suppressed the activities of SOD and Cu-Zn SOD. The above findings indicate that NEPO of sub-lethal dose may generate physiological stress and certain extent of oxidizing damage to the earthworms.