Heavy Metals Research Articles

Introduction: Heavy metals are harmful environmental pollutants found in air, water, soil, and food. Epidemiological and clinical studies have shown a strong association between heavy metal exposure and cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CVD-related mortality. While some studies have identified synergic or antagonistic interactions between heavy metals in relation to CVD risk, there is limited evidence on how these interactions affect cholesterol levels. In this study, we examine both linear and non-linear interactions between serum heavy metals and their association with total cholesterol level in a US-based population. Method: We included adult participants from the 2021–2023 NHANES cycles with available serum cholesterol and heavy metal data (N=4,916), excluding those with missing smoking status. Laboratory measures were log-transformed and z-scored. Serum selenium, cadmium, manganese, mercury, and lead were included. Each individual metal and total heavy metal level were analyzed for its association with total serum cholesterol using survey-weighted logistic regression, adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, BMI, socioeconomic status, and smoking status. Interactions between metals were assessed using both Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) and linear regression with the same adjustment. A significance threshold was set at 0.05. Result: Lead, mercury, selenium, and total heavy metals were positively associated with total serum cholesterol, while manganese showed a negative association. (Figure 1) Cadmium showed no significant relationship. BKMR identified the strongest interaction between selenium-manganese (interaction score = 0.26) (Figure 2), followed by selenium-lead (interaction score = 0.23) (Figure 3), both indicating synergistically additive effects. In contrast, linear regression detected a significant interaction only between lead-selenium, but not between manganese-selenium. These findings suggest that selenium–manganese interaction is likely non-linear, whereas the selenium–lead interaction includes a linear component. Conclusion: This study reveals novel evidence of synergistically additive effects of serum heavy metals on serum total cholesterol, particularly selenium–manganese and selenium–lead interactions. The use of nonlinear modeling methods such as BKMR may uncover relationships that are not apparent in traditional linear models.

Introduction: Heavy metal pollution, which contaminates water, soil, and food, particularly from arsenic, cadmium, lead, copper, and mercury, is a concerning cardiovascular risk factor and a major public health concern. These metals are linked to chronic conditions through inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction. Whereas traditional cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors are well established, environmental exposures are less recognized despite their growing significance. Objective: To find the association between heavy metal exposure and risk of CVD, coronary heart disease (CHD), and stroke through epidemiological studies Methods: Adhering to PROSPERO and PRISMA guidelines, search was conducted across PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Google Scholar till April 2025 for studies involving heart disease patients or stroke patients exposed to heavy metals. Primary outcomes were the events of CVD, CHD, and stroke. Proportions of events within populations with 95% confidence intervals were pooled. Analysis was conducted by R software and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: We included 17 studies involving 324,331 populations. Six studies assessed stroke proportions in cadmium- and arsenic-exposed populations. The cadmium subgroup showed a pooled proportion of 0.09 (95% CI: 0.01–0.17), with individual values ranging from 0.01 to 0.22; the arsenic subgroup showed a pooled proportion of 0.04 (95% CI: 0.04–0.04). The overall pooled proportion was 0.08 (95% CI: 0.01–0.15). Six studies found cases of CHD in groups exposed to cadmium and arsenic, with combined rates of 0.10 (95% CI: 0.00–0.22) for cadmium and 0.00 (95% CI: 0.00–0.00) for arsenic. The overall pooled proportion was 0.08 (95% CI: 0.00–0.18). Ten studies assessed CVD proportions by metal exposure. Arsenic showed a pooled proportion of 0.06 (95% CI: 0.00–0.18), cadmium 0.14 (95% CI: 0.00–0.31), lead 0.08 (95% CI: 0.01–0.14), and mercury 0.05 (95% CI: 0.04–0.06). The overall pooled proportion was 0.10 (95% CI: 0.03–0.17). All outcomes showed high heterogeneity despite sensitivity analysis. Conclusion: Our findings align with prior research showing that cadmium and arsenic exposure significantly increase cardiovascular risk, while lead and mercury are linked mainly to CVD. These results underscore environmental toxic metals' relevance in cardiovascular risk beyond behavioural risk factors.

Gut system of chitinivorous insect Chrysomya megacephala was purposefully targeted to find unexplored microbial resources based on the rationale of their usual food habits. A phytobeneficial bacterial strain Aeromonas veronii CMF was successfully isolated and characterized up to genomic approaches. The gut isolate A. veronii CMF is a non-pathogenic strain, as proven by the negative results from the hemolysis and DNase tests. Antifungal enzyme production by the CMF exhibited 22.14 ± 2.12, 16.09 ± 0.476, and 1.89 ± 0.46 U/mL chitinase, protease, and β-1,3-glucanase production, respectively. Further, in vitro and in vivo studies also elucidate the effective utilization of such gut bacterial attributes against as many as nine plant pathogenic fungi, demonstrating plant growth-promoting (PGP) and root-colonizing activities with Cicer arietinum and Oryza sativa IR36, as well as heavy metal(loid)s (HMs) resistance, removal, and bioaccumulation potential. Hence, the current study revealed the potential of the gut symbiont CMF to respond against both the biotic and abiotic stresses with PGP attributes for sustainable agriculture.IMPORTANCEGut symbiont A. veronii CMF, with integrated antifungal (chitinase, protease, and β-1,3-glucanase activity), plant growth-promoting (including plant root colonizing potential), and bioremediational attributes can be harnessed as a biotechnological tool for sustainable agriculture and human welfare by fulfilling several sustainable developmental goals. On the basis of such multidimensional gut symbiotic attributes which are validated through genomic-phenotypic observations during this study, it can be suggested that this gut symbiont can perform the host beneficial attributes in the plant rhizosphere, i.e., the "plant gut system" and consequently act as "plant gut symbionts."

Heavy metal pollution in marine ecosystems poses significant threats to aquatic organisms and human health. This study determined the concentrations of metals in the edible muscle tissues of recently obtained Mullus surmuletus samples collected from three distinct regions of the Mersin Bay, Northeastern (NE) Mediterranean Sea. The muscle tissues of the obtained fish samples were analyzed for the selected metals using microwave-assisted digestion and the ICP-MS technique. Then, potential health risks were assessed using Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and Cancer Risk (CR) values. Study findings showed that the mean metal concentrations varied between 1.58 and 9.75mg/kg for Al, 0.0018-0.0020mg/kg for Cr, 0.292-0.680mg/kg for Mn, 6.20-20.05mg/kg for Fe, 0.0006-0.0016mg/kg for Co, 0.0007-0.0039mg/kg for Ni, 0.450-0.562mg/kg for Cu, 4.651-5.823mg/kg for Zn, 0.00019-0.00022mg/kg for Cd, and 0.0019-0.0030mg/kg for Pb, respectively. Metal concentrations varied significantly among sampling locations, with the highest levels detected in the central and eastern regions of the bay, highly influenced by riverine inputs from the Seyhan and Berdan Rivers, as well as maritime and wastewater discharges. One-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation analyses indicated significant spatial variation and potential common sources of metal contamination in the study region. Though all metal concentrations in fish samples were below national and international permissible threshold limits for human consumption, health risk assessments indicated that copper may pose long-term carcinogenic risks.

Environmental degradation due to industrial groundwater contamination is an emerging cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor. Our study examines the elevated CVD prevalence, including heart failure (HF) risk factors, in rural Punjab, India, near which a private distillery was linked to long-term groundwater contamination and environmental degradation. Our team primarily focused on CVD prevalence and its associations with environmental toxins. We also explored the role of socio-economic disparities on health outcomes. A cross-sectional study of 4,885 residents in three villages adjacent to the distillery (Mahianwala Kala, Ratol Rohi, Mansoorwaal Kalan) was conducted from October 2022 to August 2023. Health camps with follow-up door-to-door surveys by trained medical personnel collected medical histories, environmental exposure details, and socio-demographic data. Key outcomes included both communicable and non-communicable diseases, such as hypertension, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and cancer. Logistic regression assessed associations between CVD prevalence, socio-economic status, and pollution exposure, with groundwater testing for heavy metals and chemical oxygen demand (COD). The cohort demonstrated a high CVD burden, with 39% having hypertension (exceeding national averages by more than 50%), 34% having diagnosed CVD, and 21.3% of households reporting an immediate family history of myocardial infarction. Adjusted models highlighted elevated odds of heart disease (OR 1.42; 95% CI 1.31–1.51) and stroke (OR 1.29; 95% CI 1.16–1.38), with higher clustering in low-income families. Concurrent systemic toxicity was also evident, as 60.5% reported dermatological conditions, 10.5% familial cancer, 20.8% with no history of smoking cited COPD-related dyspnea. We also observed elevated miscarriage rates and developmental disabilities in the studied population. Groundwater analysis confirmed contamination with cyanide (0.3 mg/L), lead (0.16 mg/L), and COD (320 mg/L), correlating with self-reported water discoloration and irregularities in taste. Families with polluted water access had a 1.5-fold increased CVD risk. Industrial contamination was linked to higher cardiovascular morbidity and multi-organ health effects in our study's cohort in rural India. The link was exacerbated by socio-economic inequities. These findings highlight the role of environmental degradation in rise in CVD, particularly in low-resource settings.

BackgroundHeavy metal exposure is a public health problem, especially in vulnerable populations such as children. A growing body of scholarly research sheds light on the issue of heavy metal exposure among children. However, there are still some gaps in the understanding of the full spectrum of factors that influence awareness and knowledge about the effects of heavy metals on children, especially in African countries. Children exposed to heavy metals primarily receive care from their parents. This scoping study aims to methodically map and synthesise the current literature on parental perspectives on children’s exposure to heavy metals.MethodsThe methodology employed in this scoping review was based on the techniques outlined by Arksey and O’Malley, as well as the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). The review assessed and further processed articles published in English between 1970 and 2023. The reviews encompassed studies conducted globally with no significant geographical limitations or various methodologies. This review primarily focused on qualitative studies in the search strategy. It also included survey and questionnaire studies, in addition to other search terms. The authors synthesised the results via descriptive and narrative analysis.ResultsThe scoping review examined and included 30 publications out of the 424 records that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The study identified four primary elements that contribute to parental experiences: knowledge regarding the health consequences of heavy metal exposure, factors that contribute to elevated levels of heavy metal exposure in children, approaches to reduce heavy metal exposure, and factors that hinder or support behavioural modifications in parents of children with heavy metal exposure.ConclusionParents’ experiences with children exposed to lead vary by area and remain inadequately understood, particularly in low-income countries. There is an increased need for parental knowledge and active prevention measures regarding heavy metal exposure. The consequences of exposure can be dire, underscoring the urgency and seriousness of this public health issue. Therefore, further study is necessary to clarify the fundamental concepts that inform practice and policy.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-025-25079-9.

Mountain rivers in the Himalayas are highly susceptible to geogenic and anthropogenic influences. In this study, fourteen trace/heavy metals (Al, As, B, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Sr, Zn) were evaluated in the Chandra River, Lahaul-Spiti Region, during June-October 2022 to understand the dynamics of trace metals in theHimalayan waters. Water samples collected along the downstream flow of the Chandrariver (Batal to Sangam), a major tributary of the Indus River, were analysed by ICP-OES and evaluated using pollution indices, and PCA analysis combined with PHREEQC speciation modelling. Findings revealed that aluminium (39-44μg L-1), arsenic (8-10.1μg L-1), and cadmium (3.0-4.0μg L-1) often exceeded BIS limits (Al: 30, As: 10, Cd: 3μg L-1) in the downstream sites (Sissu and Sangam) under the influence of drainage, recreational, and constructional activities. Upstream sites showed low pollution with heavy metal pollution index (HPI: 4.5 to 7.0), heavy metal evaluation index (HEI: < 4.14), and Nemerow pollution index (NPI: < 1.3), while downstream areas exhibited higher pollution with HPI rising upto 13 to 16.5 and ecological risk index (ERI) increasing from upstream (10-15) to downstream (30-42). TotalHazard Index (THI) values (> 2) and ILCR (> 1.62 × 10-4) at Sissu/Sangam exceed acceptable limits, indicating a potential public health risk. Three PCA factors (85.23% variance explained) separated heavy metals(HMs) sources into geogenic, agricultural, and other anthropogenic sources (tourism, traffic originated and erosion). Speciation modelling showed aluminium mainly as Al(OH)4-, iron as Fe(OH)2+ or FeHCO3+, along withzinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) as mobile sulfate and chloride complexes, while strontium was mostly SrSO4 (> 85%). Saturation indices (SI) show a distinct hydrogeochemical shift along the Chandra River, moving from strong undersaturation atupstream (Batal) to conditions nearing equilibrium or exhibiting supersaturation atdownstream (Sissu and Sangam). Strong metal-anion correlations indicate carbonate and sulfate weathering control metal mobility. The ongoing presence of mobile Cd and Zn in the downstream underscores the need for continued monitoring.

Mangrove forests provide critical ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration, shoreline protection, and serving as a food resource for coastal communities. However, these ecosystems face increasing environmental risks due to industrial and urban pollution, particularly contamination by heavy metals. This study assessed environmental quality in mangrove areas of Babitonga Bay, southern Brazil, using biomonitoring with the oyster Crassostrea rhizophorae and the mangrove tree Laguncularia racemosa. Sediment analyses revealed significantly elevated concentrations of copper, nickel, aluminum, and iron in Vila da Glória compared to Espinheiros, exceeding Brazilian environmental guidelines for copper and zinc. Biomonitoring results indicated high accumulation of arsenic and zinc in L. racemosa leaves, while oysters from Espinheiros exhibited higher concentrations of multiple heavy metals and smaller anatomical dimensions compared to those from Vila da Glória. Strong negative correlations were found between metal concentrations in oyster tissues and sediments, suggesting complex bioavailability dynamics. The study demonstrates the applicability of C. rhizophorae and L. racemosa as possible bioindicators of metal contamination in mangrove ecosystems. These findings underscore the importance of integrating biomonitoring approaches into coastal environmental health assessments to inform public health policies and conservation strategies aimed at promoting balanced ecosystem and human health.

Acid rain has emerged as a significant environmental challenge, particularly in industrial regions such as Bayelsa State, Nigeria, where extensive oil exploration and gas flaring contribute to atmospheric pollution. The deposition of sulfuric and nitric acids from industrial emissions into water bodies has led to severe acidification, posing substantial risks to aquatic ecosystems. This study examines the effects of acid rain on water quality, aquatic biodiversity, and the socio-economic well-being of communities reliant on these water resources. A comprehensive research approach was employed, integrating field sampling, laboratory analysis, and socio-economic surveys. Water samples from key rivers and creeks in Bayelsa State were analyzed for pH levels, dissolved oxygen, sulfate, nitrate, and heavy metal concentrations. The findings indicate that acid rain has led to a significant drop in water pH, with values ranging from 4.2 to 5.8, far below the optimal range for aquatic life. Elevated levels of heavy metals such as aluminum, lead, and mercury were detected, further exacerbating toxicity and endangering fish populations. The study also documented biodiversity loss, particularly among sensitive fish species and plankton communities, which are vital for maintaining ecosystem balance. Additionally, socio-economic assessments revealed that declining fish stocks have severely impacted the livelihoods of local fishermen, increasing food insecurity and economic instability. Communities relying on these water bodies for drinking water and irrigation have reported rising health concerns due to heavy metal contamination. To mitigate these adverse effects, the study recommends stringent industrial regulations to curb emissions, afforestation initiatives to buffer acid deposition, and improved public awareness campaigns on environmental conservation. Strengthening environmental policies and promoting sustainable industrial practices will be crucial in safeguarding Bayelsa State’s aquatic ecosystems and ensuring long-term ecological and economic stability.

Heavy metal ions in herbal medicine sometimes exceed the standard limit, inducing severe and harmful problems in human health. Exploring new nanomaterials to chelate heavy metal ions and reduce their concentration in herbal decoctions could be a solution route. In this study, the nanoadsorbent poly(2-(hydroxymethyl)acrylic acid (PHMAA) was prepared via free radical polymerization and the hydrolysis method. PHMAA showed excellent dispersion in aqueous solution and self-assembled into spherical aggregates with a negative surface charge. After freeze-drying, PHMAA was a white solid powder with a loose porous structure. PHMAA presented no significant influence on the cell viability and weight of normal BALB/c mice. PHMAA showed good removal efficiency towards Cd2+ ions in aqueous solution; the removal rate exceeded 80%. In herbal decoctions, PHMAA presented moderate to good removal capacity towards Cd2+ ions; the removal rate was 60%, 83%, and 89% for the Morindae officinalis radix decoction, Ligusticum wallichii decoction, and Coptidis rhizome decoction, separately. When the concentration of Cd2+ ions in the decoction was decreased to 5 μg/mL, PHMAA also presented good removal efficiency. During the removal process, PHMAA played no influence on the active ingredients. To conclude, PHMAA showed good biosafety and removal capacity towards Cd2+ ions, which might be utilized as nanoadsorbents to reduce the concentration of Cd2+ ions in aqueous solution and herbal decoctions.

Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and severity of wildfires in boreal forests, raising concerns about ecosystem resilience. We investigated the correspondence between fire events and soil erosion events in northern Finland during the Holocene (last 11,000 years). We analysed charcoal particles to reconstruct the local fire histories of two boreal lake catchments. Then, using magnetic susceptibility analysis, we identified sedimentary inputs into the lakes due to soil erosion events. Sediment geochemistry analysis revealed that high-severity fires corresponding with soil erosion events not only affect the organic soil horizons, but also the topmost mineral horizons by leaching aluminium, calcium, nitrogen, silicon and heavy metals into aquatic ecosystems. Because the effects of high-severity fires on soil properties are long-lasting, increased fire severity under climate change in northern Finland could hamper forest resilience in addition to contaminating aquatic ecosystems.

Background/Objectives: This study reports pilot-scale production of gluten-free rice malt extract powder from Thai Chainat 1 rice as a sustainable alternative to barley malt extract. Methods: The process combined controlled malting with sequential enzymatic hydrolysis, optimized through bench-scale validation and scaled up to a 1500 L pilot system. Results: The resulting powder was rich in fermentable sugars (maltose 43.9 g/100 g, glucose 14.3 g/100 g), protein (5.2 g/100 g), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA, 245.2 mg/100 g), and thiamine (0.64 mg/100 g), while free of detectable gluten, aflatoxins, and heavy metals. Microbiological quality met international safety standards. Shelf-life studies under ambient and accelerated conditions demonstrated chemical stability and bioactive retention for up to three years in laminated and HDPE packaging. Application trials confirmed that the rice malt extract powder supported yeast, bacterial, and mold growth comparably to commercial malt extract in culture media, with optimized yeast–mold agar formulations enabling direct substitution without supplementary glucose. The powder was further applied to a gluten-free malt beverage, yielding a beer-like product with acceptable physicochemical and nutritional quality, though residual alcohol levels exceeded the non-alcoholic threshold and required process optimization. Conclusions: Rice malt extract powder represents a safe, functional ingredient suitable for food, beverage, and industrial microbiology applications, offering opportunities to reduce import dependency and advance gluten-free innovation in emerging markets.

Soil pollution has increasingly become an environmental concern with adverse effects on ecosystems, human health, and agricultural productivity. It ideally occurs when anthropogenic waste and hazardous substances contaminate soil; such pressure disrupts ecological processes concerning food security and water security, among others. This study adopts a qualitative literature review methodology to synthesise the existing research, thus clustering insights into three themes: causes, environmental impacts, and impacts on populations. Findings indicate that industrialisation, unsustainable agricultural practices, poor waste management, and urbanisation are the dominant drivers of soil pollution. Such degradation emits persistent pollutants such as heavy metals, hydrocarbons, and agrochemicals. Fertility is damaged by these contaminants in soil, biodiversity is disturbed, and water is polluted, leading to further consequences in the ecosystems and climate stabilisation. The human population get exposed to toxic substances from soil pollution, giving rise to chronic diseases, food insecurity, and economic losses, with the vulnerable group, especially children, the elderly, and low-income communities, bearing the heaviest burden. The proposed measures by the study emphasise integrated responses involving stricter regulation of industrial and agricultural pollutants, promotion of the use of sustainable agricultural practices, and employment of remediation techniques such as bioremediation and phytoremediation. Public awareness and international cooperation are other essential hands to hold in minimising soil pollution. Since this threat is a big global issue, it needs a multi-sectoral action for safeguarding soil health, food systems, and public well-being.

This review comprehensively evaluates the impact of coal mining on soil health, focusing on the physical, chemical, and biological transformations occurring in mining-affected regions. Based on the synthesis of over sixty peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2024, it highlights that open-cast mining operations in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha, as well as comparable sites in China, Australia, and the United States, have led to severe soil degradation through topsoil loss, acidification, compaction, and contamination by heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and arsenic. These alterations result in significant reductions in soil organic carbon, nutrient availability, and microbial activity, ultimately impairing soil fertility and ecosystem productivity. The review also examines the effectiveness of various reclamation and restoration practices, including topsoil replacement, phytoremediation, biochar amendment, and microbial inoculation, which have demonstrated measurable improvements in soil structure and biological recovery when properly managed. It concludes that the restoration of mining-affected soils requires an integrated and long-term approach combining scientific innovation, policy enforcement, and community participation to ensure sustainable land rehabilitation and ecological resilience.

Abstract The widespread use of antibiotics has resulted in their significant release into the environment, with the ocean becoming a major sink for antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). This review synthesizes global data on marine antibiotic contamination, covering sources, occurrence, behavior, and associated ecological and human health risks. Sulfonamides, fluoroquinolones, macrolides, and tetracyclines dominate, with sulfamethoxazole most frequently detected (71.1% in seawater, 30.4% in sediment, 47.6% in biota). Peak levels reached 332,440 ng L −1 in seawater, 1515 ng g −1 in sediment, and 3341 ng g −1 in organisms, the highest in coastal China. Antibiotics with low direct toxicity may still drive ARG development. Coexisting contaminants (e.g., heavy metals, microplastics) may enhance impacts. Seafood-related health risks, especially in adolescents, merit attention. Monte Carlo analysis confirms ecological, antimicrobial resistance, and health risks remain significant under realistic exposure scenarios. These findings support global efforts in marine antibiotic pollution control and risk governance.

A review of advanced sustainable waste management approaches of the oil and gas industry: Integrating green hybrid technologies for a cleaner future.

Introduction Organic waste presents a significant environmental challenge, causing environmental issues, such as landfill accumulation, greenhouse gas emissions, and water pollution. Food leftovers from restaurants, which are rich in fats and other elements, are among the most threatening organic waste materials in Saudi Arabia. This study evaluated the potential of black soldier fly (BSF) larvae, Hermetia illucens, to bioactive post-consumer food leftovers from restaurants into valuable protein-rich feed and organic fertilizer. Methods Three substrates were tested: 100% poultry feed (PF) as a control, 100% food leftovers from restaurants (LF 100%), and a 50:50 mixture of PF and LF (LF 50%). Larval growth performance, survival rate, proximate chemical composition, amino acid content, mineral profile, and toxic elements were assessed, alongside the safety of residual frass. Results Larvae fed the LF 50% achieved the highest growth and survival rates. Both larvae and frass contained essential amino acids and key macro- and micro-minerals, with heavy metal concentrations remaining below hazardous thresholds. The residual frass also showed potential as a plant growth-promoting fertilizer due to its amino acid composition. Therefore, these findings demonstrate that BSF bioconversion is an effective and sustainable approach for valorizing high-fat restaurant waste, an underexplored substrate in the region. Conclusion This study presents insights into the benefits of producing insect protein for feed and nutrient-rich frass, which can support agriculture from high-fat restaurant waste, an underexplored substrate in the region, contribute to food security, and align with environmental objectives under the Saudi Green Initiative. Further research should focus on optimizing the substrates, exploring the long-term applications of BSF larvae frass in agriculture, and scaling up the BSF larvae systems using various waste streams.

Green Adsorbent from Sorghum Husk Ash for Efficient Heavy Metal Removal: Adsorption Mechanisms and Kinetic Insights

This study investigated the changes in soil water transport and nutrient content under plant-microbe synergistic remediation in a mining area. To restore and improve heavy metal contaminated soils, three enriched plant species were used in combination with microbial agents. Results showed that herbaceous plants significantly improved soil texture in the short term. The highest soil moisture was observed in the 0-20 cm layer, especially in the AH treatment (EM fungi + Vetiver grass + Seabuckthorn). AH also reduced soil pH most effectively. The AX treatment (EM fungi + Vetiver grass) increased soil organic matter by 25.7% compared to the control. Rhizobia combined with shrub grass planting enhanced soil nitrogen. Both AX and AH significantly increased effective phosphorus (57.1 and 55.6 mg/kg) and available potassium (194 and 174 mg/kg), as well as total microbial counts (4.071 × 107 and 3.561 × 107 cells/g), showing increases of 94.8 and 70.4%, respectively, over the control. Overall, AH and AX treatments were most effective in improving soil moisture and quality in contaminated mining areas. Bangladesh J. Bot. 54(3): 865-873, 2025 (September) Special

Soil cadmium (Cd) contamination poses significant risks to human health and environmental sustainability. Despite advances in bioremediation, effective bioagents with clear mechanistic insights for Cd detoxification are lacking. We first deciphered the whole-genome sequence of a novel Cd-tolerant Trichoderma nigricans T32781 and its in vivo heavy metal tolerance. In five independent pot and field trials, we revealed the T32781-induced alleviation mechanisms of plant-microbe-soil interactions in wheat and barley in response to Cd toxicity using a combination of agronomic, physiological, microbiome and metabolome approaches. We discovered that T32781 inoculation in soil significantly increased grain yield and decreased grain Cd concentration in barley and wheat exposed to different soil Cd levels. T32781 predominantly colonized soils, mitigating Cd toxicity by reducing soil Cd availability and promoting beneficial soil microbial communities and metabolites. These beneficial effects were further validated in the field, where the exogenous application of key metabolites induced by T32781 inoculation in soils and plants significantly increased grain yield and reduced grain Cd concentration in barley. This work highlights the potential of T32781 to enhance plant‒microbe-soil interactions and support sustainable and safe crop production in Cd-contaminated soils, addressing the increasing global demand for cereal production for food and feed.