Effect of chiral differences of metolachlor and its (S)-isomer on their toxicity to earthworms

The effects of (Rac)-metolachlor and (S)-metolachlor on the avoidance behavior, bodyweight change and in vivo enzyme activity of earthworms (Eisenia foetida) were determined and compared in this study. The effects of (Rac)-metolachlor on the enzyme activities of E. foetida and bodyweight were more significant than those of (S)-metolachlor at the same concentrations. In the short term (2 d, 7 d), (S)-metolachlor had faster effects on cellulase and catalase activities of E. foetida. However, in the relatively long term (14 d, 28 d), (Rac)-metolachlor had higher toxic effects on cellulase and catalase activities. The inter-group difference between (Rac)-metolachlor and (S)-metolachlor on E. foetida enzyme activities was the most significant for catalase, and the least significant for cellulase. The test of avoidance behavior shows that earthworms are more sensitive to the stimulation of (Rac)-metolachlor than to that of (S)-metolachlor. The results will help to develop an understanding of the biologically mediated environmental processes of these two herbicides.