Effects of Soil Contaminants on Soil Microbiome
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Date
2024
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Publisher
Springer Cham
Abstract
The soil microbiome, which comprises diverse microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, viruses and archaea; which play a fundamental role in ecosystem functions, from primary production to carbon storage. Likewise, soil microbiomes influence vital processes such as nutrient cycling and water regulation. However, soil health is under threat by different factors, including industrialization, population growth, climate change, and human activities such as erosion and pollution. Heavy metals, hydrocarbons and other contaminants from anthropogenic activities alter microbial communities, harming vital soil functions such as nutrient cycling and the decomposition of organic matter. Additionally, contaminants such as pesticides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons alter the composition of the microbiome, hindering its ability to biodegrade. For centuries, scholars have explored soil microbiomes using ‘omics’ technologies to understand their genetic and biochemical makeup. Interaction mechanisms between soil microbiomes and contaminants reveal microbial capabilities to detoxify, sequester or degrade contaminants. Certain bacteria, such as rhizobacteria, that promote plant growth, help in metal chelation, nutrient solubilization and promotion of root growth, mitigating polluting effects. Efforts to restore soil microbiomes are supported by a variety of innovative and effective techniques that seek to comprehensively combat environmental pollution. These strategies range from approaches that use the biological activity of microorganisms to methods that take advantage of the ability of plants to absorb and detoxify soil. Such approaches, developed with the common goal of improving soil quality and mitigating environmental impacts, represent a constantly evolving field of study and exploration of new sustainable solutions for the restoration of terrestrial ecosystems. Understanding the intricate relationship between soil microbiomes and contaminants is vital to designing effective strategies to restore soil health and ensure environmental sustainability. Taking advantage of the diverse capacities of the microorganisms present in the soil, the impacts of pollution could be reduced, in order to preserve the vital functions of terrestrial ecosystems. Keeping in view of the importance of soil microbiome in environmental sustainability, following topics were deeply discussed in this chapter: (i) fundamentals of the soil microbiome, (ii) Impact of soil contaminants on microbiome diversity, (iii) mechanisms of interaction of the soil microbiome on contaminants, (iv) rhizobacteria as plant growth promoters (PGPR) in soil pollution mitigation, and (v) tool and strategies for the restoration of the soil microbiome.
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Keywords
Soil Contaminants, Soil Microbiome, Bacteria, Soil health
Citation
Daza, B.X.D., Mendoza, A.J.D., Zambrano, J.J.Z., Aransiola, S.A. and Maddela, N.R., 2024. Effects of Soil Contaminants on Soil Microbiome. In Soil Microbiome in Green Technology Sustainability (pp. 183-199). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.