Combined physiological, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analyses reveal the response mechanisms of Phragmites australis to lead (Pb) stress.

Heavy metal accumulations in tropical seaweed and seagrass species as the basis of an ecological risk assessment.

Retraction notice to "Heavy metal accumulation in root and shoot tapioca plant biomass grown in agriculture land situated around the magnesite mine tailings" [Environ. Res. 257 (2024) 119287

Heavy metals bioaccumulation and its impact on fatty acids composition in the benthic crustacean mud crab (Scylla paramamosain) and associated human health risk.

Different land use types around megacities contribute contrasting heavy metal pollution and health risks in soil-leaf vegetable systems.

Is the personality of Tree Sparrows (Passer montanus) in heavy metal-polluted environments undergoing silent change?

Naturally growing plants accumulate heavy metals differently in phosphate waste rocks and phosphorus chemical industrial zones in Southwest China.

Hydrodynamic controls on the spatial distribution of heavy metals in surface sediments of the Beibu Gulf, China.

The joint remediation of heavy metal (HM)-contaminated soil using beneficial microorganisms and plants has gained increasing attention as a sustainable approach. In this study, three growth-promoting bacterial strains (JG1, 2G5, and 2G6) with strong cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) tolerance were isolated through multistaged screening, and the effects and underlying mechanisms of soil HM remediation were investigated. Stress-resistant growth experiments confirmed the growth viability of these strains under Cd and Pb stress. The inoculation with the tolerant bacteria enhanced the biomass (by 13.71%-23.25%), plant tissue metal concentrations (by 16.07%-62.50%), and HM accumulation (by 41.04%-100.63%) in Amorpha fruticosa L. grown in contaminated soil, with 2G5 demonstrating the most pronounced effect. Principal coordinate analysis indicated that HM contamination exerted a greater impact on rhizosphere soil bacterial communities than did bacterial inoculation. Among the tested strains, 2G5 induced the most significant alterations in microbial composition. Furthermore, niche shifts in key taxa (e.g., p_Patescibacteria and g_Flavisolibacter) and enhanced microbial stability were identified as potential strategies for mitigating HM stress and promoting phytoextraction. Partial least squares path modeling revealed that the application of tolerance-promoting bacteria significantly reduced soil Cd risk through the regulation of soil nutrients, enzyme activity, and plant biomass, whereas Pb levels were primarily influenced by plant biomass and microbial diversity. Overall, this study provides an efficient strategy for remediating Cd- and Pb-contaminated soils through the synergistic application of specific microbial inoculants and A. fruticosa L.IMPORTANCEHM contamination poses severe threats to ecosystem safety and human health. This study demonstrates that inoculating Amorpha fruticosa L. with cadmium/lead-tolerant plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) (especially strain 2G5) significantly enhances phytoremediation efficiency by increasing plant biomass and metal accumulation. More importantly, we reveal that bacterial inoculation reshapes the rhizosphere microbial community, promotes niche shifts in key taxa (e.g., Patescibacteria and Flavisolibacter), and enhances microbial network stability, which collectively improve plant adaptability to metal stress. These findings provide a microbial-enhanced phytoremediation strategy that is sustainable and eco-friendly, offering practical insights for the remediation of HM-contaminated soils in real-world scenarios, especially in regions with leguminous vegetation.

Synergistic foliar titanium and soil organic fertilizer drive terpenoid-mediated microbiome assembly to restrict Cd/Pb uptake in Panax notoginseng.

Open dumpsites are significant sources of soil contamination due to the release of leachates enriched with nutrients and heavy metals. This study evaluated the spatial variability of soil physicochemical properties and heavy metal concentrations around an active dumpsite in Agbala Owerri-West. Soil samples were collected at distances of 0, 50, 100, 200, and 500 m and analyzed using standard methods. Soils were predominantly loamy sand, with sand content ranging from 83.0% to 87.0%, while silt (7.0–9.0%) and clay (6.0–8.0%) were low, indicating high permeability and low retention capacity. Soil pH ranged from 6.3 to 7.7, with higher values near the dumpsite. Organic matter varied from 2.95% to 5.33%, and total nitrogen ranged from 0.08% to 0.28%. Available phosphorus ranged from 13.99 to 27.05 mg kg⁻¹. Exchangeable Ca, Mg, and K ranged from 4.94–28.08, 22.10–56.42, and 0.43–0.61 cmol kg⁻¹, respectively, with peak Ca and Mg at 50 m. Heavy metal concentrations followed the order Hg (2.005–6.016 mg kg⁻¹) > As (0.629–1.379 mg kg⁻¹) > Pb (0.160–0.320 mg kg⁻¹). Mercury showed notable subsurface accumulation, indicating high mobility, while Pb remained relatively immobile. Correlation analysis revealed a strong negative relationship between pH and As (r = –0.72), and between organic matter and Pb (r = –0.70), while Pb correlated positively with clay (r = 0.67) and silt (r = 0.69). The results indicate that the dumpsite enhances soil fertility but also promotes heavy metal accumulation and mobility. This dual effect poses environmental risks, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring and targeted remediation strategies.

Monte Carlo simulation-based assessment of carcinogenic heavy metal risk following Spartina alterniflora invasion in a subtropical estuarine wetland of China.

High cadmium accumulation by common coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara L.), herbal plant growing and collecting in ruderal habitats.

ABSTRACT Purpose This study assessed the accumulation of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Cr, Fe, and Ni) in six halophytic species and evaluated their phytoremediation potential. Additionally, remote sensing indices, including NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), SAVI (Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index), NDSI (Normalized Difference Salinity Index), and land surface temperature, were used to analyze soil salinity patterns and vegetation distribution. Materials and methods Polluted saline soils and plant samples were collected from ten sites along Egypt’s Mediterranean coast. Heavy metals were determined after acid digestion, and bioconcentration (BCF) and translocation (TF) factors were calculated. Remote sensing data were used to assess vegetation health and environmental stress. Results Showed significant spatial variability in salinity and metal concentrations, with the highest salinity recorded at Site 3. Mesembryanthemum cordifolium accumulated high levels of Cu, Fe, Ni, and Cr in shoots, while Suaeda vermiculata showed high Cd and Zn accumulation in roots. Bassia indica roots contained the highest Pb levels. Most BCF values were below 1, except for Cd and Zn in S. vermiculata, while TF values generally exceeded 1. Soil alkalinity likely reduced the mobility of some metals. Conclusion These findings highlight the role of halophytes as bioindicators and their potential in phytoremediation, supporting their use in sustainable restoration of saline, contaminated ecosystems.

Bioaccumulation of trace metals in the invasive bivalve Mytella strigata (Hanley, 1843) from estuarine and backwater ecosystems of South India.

Vegetables cultivated near industrial zones are susceptible to heavy metal accumulation, posing serious food safety and public health risks. This study quantified six toxic metals (As, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Hg) in six commonly consumed vegetables-spinach, pumpkin leaf, brinjal, tomato, potato, and radish-alongside corresponding soil and irrigation water samples from Savar, Bangladesh, using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Essential micronutrients (Ca, Na, Fe, K, Cu, Mn, Zn, and Mg) were also determined via Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). Soil exhibited elevated Pb (19.26 ± 2.6 mg/kg) and Hg (16.92 ± 6.9 mg/kg), while irrigation water exceeded WHO limits for Pb (0.15 ± 0.12 mg/L), Cd (0.02 ± 0.01 mg/L), and Hg (0.02 ± 0.01 mg/L). Among vegetables, Pb was highest in brinjal (14.48 mg/kg), Cd in spinach (2.37 mg/kg), and As in pumpkin leaf (0.145 mg/kg). Spinach also showed the greatest micronutrient content, with Ca (1164 mg/kg) and K (595.9 mg/kg). The maximum bioaccumulation factors followed the order Cd in spinach (1.26) > Pb in brinjal (0.75) > Hg in tomato (0.15) > Cr = Ni in spinach (0.14) > As in pumpkin leaf (0.03), identifying Cd and Pb as the most mobile elements. The estimated daily intake and health risk indices for Pb (25.68) and Cd (16.81) in children exceeded safe thresholds, indicating significant non-carcinogenic risks. Strong inter-metal correlations (r > 0.70, p < 0.05) suggest industrial effluents as the primary contamination source. Overall, the findings reveal critical Pb and Cd contamination in vegetables from Savar, necessitating stricter effluent regulation and continuous monitoring to ensure food safety and protect public health.

Inflammation mediates the association of heavy metal exposures with kidney function: Evidence from a longitudinal study.

The study presents data on the peculiarities of accumulation of some chemical elements in soils and organs of Artemisia gmelinii , which grows in the Transbaikal Region (7 study sites). The content of chemical elements in the studied samples was determined by X-ray fluorescence analysis. It has been established that the soils of the studied areas contain high concentrations of gross and mobile forms of elements, especially iron, manganese, zinc, titanium, and chromium. Exceedances of the MPC for Cr in gross forms of the element have been recorded. Exceeding the clarke value for Mn, Zn, and Co in soils was observed at two study sites. According to the content of elements in the organs of the studied species as a whole it is possible to build a series: Fe &gt; Mn &gt; Zn &gt; Ti &gt; Cr &gt; Cu &gt; Ni &gt; Co. Exceedances of the clarke value for iron, zinc, titanium, chromium, and nickel have been observed in above-ground plants. Zinc and copper are predominantly concentrated in the leaves of the species under study, while iron, titanium, chromium, and nickel are concentrated in the roots. The calculation of root barrier coefficients showed that most of the micronutrients have a barrier type of accumulation. Technogenic contamination of the studied species with chromium, nickel, iron, and titanium was detected. A direct relationship was found between the content of Co, Ni, and Cr in the soil and the plant.

Macroalgal species can be employed as biostimulants for agricultural production. However, their effects on heavy metal accumulation and associated human health risks remain insufficiently explored, particularly in Turkey. This study aimed to evaluate the agronomic performance, metal accumulation, and potential health risks of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) cultivated using a biofertilizer produced from Ulva sp. collected from Mersin Bay (NE Mediterranean Sea) between January 2023 and April 2024, in comparison with a commercial chemical fertilizer and a control treatment. Metal concentrations in macroalgae and lettuce samples were determined, and a health risk assessment was performed based on USEPA guidelines, including estimated daily intake (EDI), hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), and carcinogenic risk (CR). The results of this study showed that the biofertilizer significantly improved plant growth parameters, with yields comparable to those obtained under chemical fertilizer application. Study findings indicated that measured metal values of lettuce samples for most metals remained below FAO/WHO permissible limits, except for arsenic (As) and lead (Pb). Health risk assessment indicated that HQ and HI values were below 1, suggesting no significant non-carcinogenic risk. In contrast, CR values for chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni) exceeded the acceptable limit of 10-4 for all treatments, indicating potential long-term carcinogenic risks associated with lettuce consumption.

Heavy metals are prevalent environmental contaminants owing to their persistence and non-biodegradability, making their elimination extremely challenging. Heavy metal pollutants in aquatic ecosystems result in numerous detrimental consequences on aquatic animals, particularly fish. Fish is an essential and economical source of nutrients, abundant in minerals and proteins. Exposure of fish to heavy metals generates reactive oxygen species, leading to oxidative stress and inflammation, and thereby compromising fish development and health. The accumulation of heavy metals in aquatic ecosystems can be transferred to human tissues through the consumption of contaminated fish, potentially leading to significant health consequences. Programmed cell death (PCD) is a tightly regulated process of cellular death that maintains homeostasis and facilitates developmental processes. It is crucial in the pathogenic mechanisms of heavy metal-induced toxicity. Identifying pivotal molecules and understanding their regulation mechanisms are crucial for improved disease prevention and management. This literature review seeks to elucidate and elaborate on the rapidly evolving functions of diverse PCD mechanisms, such as apoptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, cuproptosis, oxeiptosis, necroptosis, and cuPANoptosis, in the development and progression of heavy metal-induced toxicity in fish.