Heavy metals like lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), and cadmium (Cd) have a devastating effect on the environment and are harmful to humans, animals and plants. The present study was aimed at removal of heavy metals using the heavy metal (HM) resistant bacteria in combination with earthworm. The earthworms were released in Pb, Ni and Cd contaminated soil bio augmented with the potent bacterial strain (VITMSJ3) capable of taking up heavy metals. A considerable increase of 65–70% Pb, Ni and Cd by earthworm's bio augmented with VITMSJ3 was achieved without any tissue disruption. This was similarly reflected in increased enzymatic activities and reduced DNA damage in earthworms under stress conditions confirmed with COMET analysis. The presence of bacterial isolate in the earthworm gut was confirmed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis and the presence of heavy metal was evaluated and confirmed with EDAX. The study thus presents the role of a bacterial strain in the accumulation of Pb, Ni, and Cd while not only ameliorating the harmful effect of heavy metals on earthworm, but also promoting its overall physiological status.

铅 (Pb)、镍 (Ni) 和镉 (Cd) 等重金属对环境造成破坏性影响，对人类、动物和植物有害。本研究旨在利用抗重金属（HM）细菌与蚯蚓结合去除重金属。蚯蚓在 Pb、Ni 和 Cd 污染的土壤中释放，土壤生物增强了能够吸收重金属的强效细菌菌株 (VITMSJ3)。通过 VITMSJ3 增强的蚯蚓生物可显着增加 65-70% 的 Pb、Ni 和 Cd，而没有任何组织破坏。这同样反映在通过 COMET 分析证实的压力条件下，蚯蚓的酶活性增加和 DNA 损伤减少。通过扫描电子显微镜 (SEM) 分析确认蚯蚓肠道中存在细菌分离物，并通过 EDAX 评估和确认重金属的存在。因此，该研究展示了细菌菌株在 Pb、Ni 和 Cd 积累中的作用，同时不仅改善了重金属对蚯蚓的有害影响，而且促进了其整体生理状态。