ECOGENOTOXICITY EVALUATION OF SOIL OF AREA IMPACTED BY INVASIVE ALIENS SPECIES Hovenia dulcis Thumberg BY Eisenia fetida (Savigny, 1826) ASSAY

Abstract

The species Hovenia dulcis, popularly known as the Japanese raisin tree, is considered an invasive alien species which can invade a variety of new habitats and establish new populations. Despite being quite prevalent in southern Brazil, environmental impacts are still poorly known, including those on the soil. The aim of the current paper was to evaluate the possible ecogenotoxic effects of the soil sampled in area with and without H. dulcis on Eisenia fetida. Soil samples were collected, and the experiments delineation for two toxicity tests were conducted: acute toxicity test and Comet assay. The results indicate the absence of ecogenotoxic potential of H. dulcis chemical compounds in E. fetida organism. Further studies should be performed using other organisms of the edaphic fauna to better evaluate the potential effects of such chemical compounds present in soil with Japanese raisin tree.