Abstract
The concern regarding the toxicological effects of nanoparticles (NPs) on the terrestrial environment is increasing. To avoid risks of exposure to these NPs in the environment, it is essential to develop an understanding of their reactivity, toxicity, and persistency. Due to the increased usage of nano-titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) in various industrial products, an exponential increase in exposure is expected, which would exacerbate concerns about its ecological risks. The present study is conducted to evaluate the size-dependent effects of TiO(2) NPs on the soil, especially on earthworm (Eudrilus euginiae). To date, many studies have been reported on the impact of TiO(2) NPs on ecotoxicology. However, histotoxicology studies are sparse. This study serves to be the first report on the size-dependent histotoxicological impact of nano-TiO(2) on earthworms particularly, E. euginiae. This report presents an intensive overall view of the longer time ecotoxicological impact of TiO(2) nanomaterials on various biological parameters of earthworms at cellular levels. The results show that the survival and growth of adult earthworms are severely affected by the TiO(2) NPs in the soil, which substantiates the adverse effects of TiO(2) NPs on earthworms.