Brick kiln industries in developing countries, including Egypt, constitute significant sources of environmental pollution, yet their impact on terrestrial arthropods remains understudied. This research evaluates the potential of Blaps polychresta beetles as biomonitors of brick kiln pollution in the Arab Abu Saed region, South Giza. Beetles and soil samples were gathered from polluted and reference sites. Soil features, heavy metal content (Pb, Ni, Cr, Cd), and atmospheric quality indices (NO₂, PM₂.₅, PM₁₀) were identified. Beetle brain tissue was investigated on an integrative scale by EDX spectroscopy, biochemical indicators of oxidative stress (MDA, SOD, CAT, GPx, GSH), indicators of neurotoxicity (AChE, BChE), and ultrastructural investigation. Results obtained contained considerably different soil characteristics and higher content of heavy metals at the polluted site. EDX analysis confirmed bioaccumulation of Pb (0.13 % w/w) and Cd (0.07 % w/w) in beetle brains at the polluted site. Pollutant-exposed beetles showed significantly higher MDA levels (1.9-fold), suppressed antioxidant enzyme activities (27-70 %), and cholinesterase inhibitions (>55 %). Histopathological examination revealed severe neural tissue damage, including vacuolization, mitochondrial degradation, and nuclear pyknosis. Principal component analysis identified clear-cut discrimination between reference and polluted samples, with high correlations between environmental pollutants and biomarker response. This study confirms B. polychresta as an effective bioindicator for industrial pollution and provides an inexpensive, integrative method of environmental monitoring in developing nations while illuminating the mechanisms of brick kiln neurotoxicity in the terrestrial ecosystem.
Keywords: Air quality; Bioindicator; Blaps polychrista; Brick kiln; Neurotoxicity; Oxidative stress; Ultrastructure.
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