Effects of contaminated Soil from Electric Transformer and Condensate of Thermal Power Station on Antioxidants Enzyme and Metallothionein of exposed Earthworms

ABSTRACT: Earthworms play an important role in the soil ecosystem, it promotes soil structure and fertility. This study was designed to assess the toxic outcome of contaminated soil samples from an electrical transformer site and condensate dump site on the antioxidant enzymes of earthworms that are exposed to different dilutions of the polluted soil. The effects were assayed by measuring superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductases, glutathione peroxidase and metallothione activities, respectively. The result exposed a substantial rise in the activities of the enzymes assayed in a percentage dependent manner. It is concluded that the antioxidants are directly involved in the adaptive response of earthworm survival in a contaminated environment. The activities of glutathione reductase expressed as mean ± SD revealed a substantial rise in the contaminated soil samples compare to the control. Metallothione activities of earthworm exposed to different percentage soil dilutions rom condensate dumpsites, and electrical installation locations, revealed a reduction in metallothionine activities. Contaminants in the soil samples had a marked increase in catalase, SOD, and GR activities of earthworms after exposure. Therefore, one can infer that the contaminants in dumpsites and condensate may have severe effect on the health of the soil ecosystem and biodiversity.