Biomarker responses of earthworms (Eisenia fetida) exposured to phenanthrene and pyrene both singly and combined in microcosms

► Earthworms were under physiological stress when exposed to 0.5 (Phe) + 100 (Pyr) mg kg−1 soils. ► Phe and Pyr synergistically caused changes in antioxidant enzyme activities. ► Phe and Pyr increased the transcript abundance of the annetocin and TCTP genes synergistically. ► NRRT and sperm count were less sensitive than gene transcription for monitoring soil Phe and Pyr.