The extensive use of nanoparticles (NPs) in a variety of applications has raised great concerns about their environmental fate and biological effects. To investigate the role of CuO NPs in soil on microbes and earthworms, we exposed microorganisms and earthworms (Eisenia fetida) to different concentrations of CuO NPs <100 nm. The results obtained showed that the CuO NPs exhibited good anti-microbial activity. A dose-related increase in mortality was not observed in earthworms exposed to CuO- NPs by soil contact method. In direct contact method the average death time of E. fetida to CuO NPs is not dose related. Dose related weight loss of earthworms was noticed after 15 days of exposure. This study will be very useful in regulation of nanomaterials that are entering into the environment.

Keywords: Copper Oxide Nanoparticles; Anti-Microbial Activity; Earthworms;