Navigating soil microbiota shifts to organic pollutants: Insights into the roles of nZVI-biochar in soil ecosystem restoration

Abstract

Soil microbial communities are essential for nutrient cycling, contaminant degradation, and ecosystem sustainability . However, increasing contamination from organic pollutants , including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), per - and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), pesticides, and antibiotics, has led to significant disruptions in soil microbiota, reducing microbial diversity , altering community structures, and impairing enzymatic functions . Despite various remediation strategies, challenges persist in restoring soil health while minimizing the adverse ecological impacts. This review highlights the emerging potential of nano-zero-valent iron-supported biochar (nZVI-BC) as a novel remediation approach that offers synergistic adsorption, catalytic degradation, and microbial community restoration capabilities. While previous reviews have predominantly focused on inorganic contaminants , this review uniquely emphasizes the effects and remediation of organic pollutants , filling a critical knowledge gap. Unlike conventional methods, nZVI-BC enhances microbial diversity, enzyme activity , and the abundance of functional genes while mitigating pollutant toxicity. This review systematically explored the mechanisms by which nZVI-BC influences microbial responses and adaptations, emphasizing shifts in community composition, enzymatic activities, and functional gene expression under organic pollutant stress. Furthermore, it evaluated the application of nZVI-BC in remediating pesticides, antibiotics, PFAS, and PAHs, positioning it as a sustainable and efficient strategy for soil ecosystem restoration . Ultimately, this review provides critical insights into the role of nZVI-BC in mitigating the ecological risks of organic contaminants , thereby offering a path toward improved soil health and long-term environmental sustainability.

Topics & Concepts