The pervasive occurrence of combined metal and antibiotic pollution (CMAP) in agricultural soils is increasingly being recognized as a novel threat to ecosystems. However, the toxicity variations of CMAP compared to single pollution and the mechanisms underlying these changes remain poorly understood. Herein in this study, the toxicities of copper (Cu)/erythromycin (ERY) and lead (Pb)/norfloxacin (NOR) to earthworms (Eisenia fetida) were investigated. These results indicated that a single exposure to ERY and NOR at environmental concentrations had negligible effects on physiological processes. Combined Cu/ERY exposure induced more significant oxidative stress, disrupted energy metabolism, and caused cellular damage than Cu alone, as indicated by altered antioxidant enzyme activities, malondialdehyde and adenosine triphosphate content, elevated reactive oxygen species levels, and apoptosis rates in coelomocytes. Conversely, these adverse effects were mitigated by Pb/NOR exposure compared to Pb treatment alone. Further analysis of the gut microbiota revealed that Cu/Pb-tolerant Bacillus spp. play a critical mediating role in the contrasting toxicity profiles. ERY reduced the abundance of Bacillus spp., diminishing their ability to secrete soluble phosphate to immobilize Cu in the gut and leading to increased Cu absorption and toxicity. NOR enriches Bacillus spp. in the gut, facilitating Pb immobilization and reducing Pb bioavailability and toxicity. The contrast toxicity profile revealed the response of the gut microbiota taxa is the primary determinant of the variation in CMAP toxicity. These findings advance our understanding of the impact of CMAP on soil organisms and highlight the need for comprehensive ecological risk assessments to inform regulatory strategies.

The earthworm -based vermiremediation facilitated with benign chemicals such as nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) is a promising approach for the remediation of a variety of soil contaminants including cyanotoxins. As the most toxic cyanotoxin, microcystin-LR (MC-LR) enter soil via runoff, irrigated surface water and sewage, and the application of cyanobacterial biofertilizers as part of the sustainable agricultural practice. Earthworms in such remediation systems must sustain the potential risk from both nZVI and MC-LR. In the present study, earthworms (Eisenia fetida) were exposed up to 14 days to MC-LR and nZVI (individually and in mixture), and the toxicity was investigated at both the organismal and metabolic levels, including growth, tissue damage, oxidative stress, metabolic response and gut microbiota. Results showed that co -exposure of MC-LR and nZVI is less potent to earthworms than that of separate exposure. Histological observations in the co -exposure group revealed only minor epidermal brokenness, and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that co -exposure induced earthworms to regulate glutathione biosynthesis for detoxification and reduced adverse effects from MC-LR. The combined use of nZVI promoted the growth and reproduction of soil and earthworm gut bacteria (e.g., Sphingobacterium and Acinetobacter) responsible for the degradation of MC-LR, which might explain the observed antagonism between nZVI and MC-LR in earthworm microcosm. Our study suggests the beneficial use of nZVI to detoxify pollutants in earthworm -based vermiremediation systems where freshwater containing cyanobacterial blooms is frequently used to irrigate soil and supply water for the growth and metabolism of earthworms. (c) 2024 The Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic heavy metal contaminant found in soil and water due to human activities such as mining and industrial discharge. Cd can accumulate in the body, leading to various health risks such as organ injuries, osteoporosis, renal dysfunction, Type 2 diabetes (T2DM), reproductive diseases, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and cancers. The gut is particularly sensitive to Cd toxicity as it acts as the primary barrier against orally ingested Cd. Even at low concentrations, Cd can cause oxidative stress, inflammation, and intestinal bleeding. Cd also disrupts the gut microbiota, affecting its structure, taxonomic composition, and metabolic functions. Cd exposure alters the structure of the gut microbial community, reducing diversity and upregulating certain phyla and genera. This disturbance can lead to physiological and metabolic imbalances, including disruptions in energy homeostasis, amino acid, lipid, nucleotide, and short-chain fatty acid (SCFAs) metabolism. The effects of Cd on the gut microbiota depend on the duration of exposure, the dose of Cd, and can vary based on sex and age. Cd-induced gut dysbiosis has been linked to various diseases, including diabetes, adiposity, atherosclerosis, liver damage, infections, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. Interventions targeting the gut microbiota, such as probiotics, specific diets, melatonin, selenium, vitamin D3, and certain compounds, have shown potential in reducing the health risks associated with Cd exposure. However, combined exposure to Cd and other toxicants, such as microplastics (MPs), heavy metals, and antibiotics, can amplify the toxicity and dysbiosis in the gut microbiota.

Root-knot nematodes Meloidogyne spp. are sedentary endoparasites that infest a wide range of plant species; they are also widely distributed, making them one of the most economically significant pests. Similarly, damage caused by Aphelenchoides fragariae can lead to substantial reductions in both crop yield and quality. This research focused on the rhizosphere of Helianthus tuberosus L. (variety Albik), grown in a Polish plantation. The experiment was conducted at the National Institute of Horticultural Research in Skierniewice, using concrete rings filled with medium sandy soil amended with 10% peat. The treatments included the following: control (no amendments), silver solution (Ag+) (120 mg/L soil), and vermicompost (Ve) (20 L of Eisenia fetida vermicompost). Each treatment was replicated four times. Compared with control, (Ve) significantly decreased the numbers of Aphelenchoides fragariae and Meloidogyne hapla, by about 48% and 31%. The application of (Ag+) led to the most significant reduction in population density in both nematode species, with A. fragariae decreasing by over 67% and M. hapla by approximately 75%.

The widespread distribution of wolf poison (Stellera chamaejasme L.), spanning from southern Russia to southwestern China and the western Himalayas, contributes to its prevalence as an invasive species in grassland ecosystems. Its extensive range, coupled with its ability to thrive in harsh environments, enables it to rapidly colonize grasslands. Once established, it rapidly spreads and dominates large areas. This process inevitably leads to grassland degradation over time, thereby exerting significant impacts on both ecology and economy. In China, grasslands (26.45 million ha, 27.5% of land area) face severe degradation, with more than 90% impacted by overgrazing and climate change. Stellera chamaejasme infestations exceed 1.4 million ha in Qinghai, 546,700 ha in Gansu, and 133,000 ha in Inner Mongolia, causing annual forage losses of 137,500 Mg and economic damages of 15 to 20 million yuan in Gansu alone. These impacts threaten ecosystem stability and pastoral livelihoods. Therefore, research on the mechanisms of spread of invasive plants is crucial. In this comprehensive description, we investigated the effects of S. chamaejasme on plant communities and herbivore interactions. Our research showed how this species successfully invades grasslands and establishes itself as a dominant species. Stellera chamaejasme enhances its expansion by altering soil physicochemical properties, reducing nutrient cycling, and increasing pathogenic fungi abundance while enhancing microbial diversity, creating self-favoring soil conditions. With high genetic diversity, robust reproductive capacity, and potent allelopathic effects, it suppresses neighboring vegetation and escapes herbivory due to toxicity, accelerating invasion. These interrelated traits facilitate the rapid invasion and spread of S. chamaejasme on grasslands, ultimately leading to its dominance. This trend poses a significant threat to the health and stability of the grassland ecosystem. Future research should delve into the ecological adaptability and allelopathic mechanisms of S. chamaejasme, aiming to develop effective management strategies for controlling its spread and promoting grassland recovery and biodiversity conservation.

Fungal communities can be used as indicators of various environmental processes in forest ecosystems. The diversity of these communities is linked to aboveground plants and soil properties. We assessed fungal diversity at four Norway spruce sampling sites that were growing on fertile mineral soils (Oxalidosa) in northwestern Latvia. Three sites were managed-a three-year-old clear-cut and fifty- and eighty-five-year-old stands; one site was unmanaged-a naturally regenerated site after wind damage in 1969. For metabarcoding, we used a fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) and high throughput sequencing with the Ion Torrent platform. Our results showed high operational taxonomic unit richness in the samples, with notable variation in community composition between individual plots both within and among sites, with the highest being in managed, middle-aged stands and the lowest in unmanaged. Significant differences in the diversity of soil fungal communities were not detected between the sites. Redundancy analysis indicated that pH, soil organic matter, organic carbon, and nitrogen were the most important soil variables that explained the variation in fungal communities. The unmanaged stand differed notably by community composition. This study highlights the importance of monitoring forest soil environmental parameters and fungal communities to gain a more comprehensive assessment of forestry management regimes.

White grubs are known as the National pest of India due to their wide distribution and economic damage. Brahmina coriacea grubs are restricted to Tibet, China and the Himalayan region in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The grubs of B. coriacea were collected from the soil of Solanum tuberosum, Zea mays, Pisum sativum, Rosa rubiginosa, Phaseolus vulgaris, Malus pumila and Pyrus communis from different ecosystems of eight different locations in Himachal Pradesh, India, by the pit sampling method. The grubs of B. coriacea were identified by examining the raster pattern. There was variation in the morphology and biology among different populations of B. coriacea in Himachal Pradesh. The morphological parameters and biological differences were also recorded, such as fecundity rate and damage potential among different ecotypes of B. coriacea collected from various locations. A total of 102 morphologically distinct bacterial isolates were isolated from the gut of different populations of B. coriacea. The gut microbial diversity and abundance were recorded as maximum in the hind gut, compared to other gut compartments. A total of 11 cellulolytic bacterial isolates were identified using morphological, biochemical and 16S rRNA molecular methods. The cellulolytic index of bacterial strains ranged from 0.33 to 2.0. The 11 gut cellulolytic bacteria were identified by using morphological, biochemical and 16S rRNA gene analysis. Staphylococcus haemolyticus was isolated from the Nauni population of B. coriacea, and it is the first report from the gut of scarabaeids. This is an opportunistic human pathogen but a useful endosymbiont in the grubs of B. coriacea. Bacillus thuringiensis as a biological agent, Staphylococcus cohnii, Ralstonia mannitolilytica and some Bacillus sp. were reported for the first time from B. coriacea grubs in India. The potent cellulose-degrading bacteria can be used in industries for decomposing agricultural waste, in pulp and paper industries and for biofuel production.

Biosolids can be blended with edaphic components to formulate customized soil mixes (Technosols), where specific nutrient levels, moisture content, and other factors are tailored to support plant growth. The aim of this work was to evaluate constructed Technosols regarding specific physical, rheological, and biochemical characteristics, as well as for their ability to meet the growth requirements of rye grass. Soil horizons A and C, and quarry waste, were examined both individually as controls and in binary combinations with biosolids, maintaining a ratio of 70:30 in a replicated pot experiment. After 35 days, half of the pots were seeded with ryegrass (Lolium perenne ssp). After 3,5 months, the following physical, chemical, and rheological properties were measured: bulk density; plastic limit; liquid limit; saturated hydraulic conductivity; aggregate stability, organic matter and total Kjeldahl nitrogen. Enzyme activities were determined using fluorogenic substrates, whereas total bacterial and fungal composition was assessed through qPCR and amplicon sequencing using respectively 16S rRNA gene and ITS gene primers. Biosolids-based Technosols exhibited soil-like behavior across various examined variables, such as aggregate stability, microbial community composition and the yield of harvested plant biomass. Changes in the physical and chemical characteristics of mixtures containing biosolids were accompanied by corresponding changes in enzyme activities, as well as by shifts in absolute bacterial and fungal abundance. Biosolid-based Technosols possess the capability to establish sustainable and effective aggregation conditions, maintaining satisfactory water retention levels, and fostering favorable microbiological and biochemical conditions to fulfill essential soil functions, including biomass production.

Microplastic particles (MPs) have been detected in a variety of environmental samples, including soil, water, food, and air. Cellular studies and animal exposures reported that exposure to MPs composed of different polymers might result in adverse effects at the portal of entry (local) or throughout the body (systemic). The most relevant routes of particle uptake into the body are oral and respiratory exposure. This review describes the various processes that may contribute to the adverse effects of MPs. Only MPs up to 5 mu m were found to cross epithelial barriers to a significant extent. However, MPs may also exert a detrimental impact on human health by acting at the epithelial barrier and within the lumen of the orogastrointestinal and respiratory tract. The potential for adverse effects on human health resulting from the leaching, sorption, and desorption of chemicals, as well as the impact of MPs on nutritional status and dysbiosis, are reviewed. In vitro models are suggested as a means of (1) assessing permeation, (2) determining adverse effects on cells of the epithelial barrier, (3) examining influence of digestive fluids on leaching, desorption, and particle properties, and (4) role of microbiota-epithelial cell interactions. The contribution of these mechanisms to human health depends upon exposure levels, which unfortunately have been estimated very differently.

Freeze-thaw (FT) aging can change the physicochemical characteristics of microplastics (MPs). The toxic impacts of FT-aged-MPs to soil invertebrates are poorly understood. Here the toxic mechanisms of FT-aged-MPs were investigated in earthworms after 28 d exposure. Results showed that FT 50 mu m PE-MPs significantly increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) by 5.78-9.04 % compared to pristine 50 mu m PE-MPs (41.80-45.05 ng/mgprot), whereas FT 500 mu m PE-MPs reduced ROS by 7.52-7.87 % compared to pristine 500 mu m PE-MPs (51.44-54.46 ng/ mgprot). FT-PP-MPs significantly increased ROS and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in earthworms by 14.82-44.06 % and 46.75-110.21 %, respectively, compared to pristine PP-MPs (40.56-44.66 ng/mgprot, 0.41-2.53 nmol/mgprot). FT-aged PE- and PP-MPs caused more severe tissue damage to earthworms. FT-aged PE-MPs increased the alpha diversity of the gut flora of earthworms compared to pristine MPs. Earthworm guts exposed to FT-aged-MPs were enriched with differential microbial genera of contaminant degradation capacity. FT-PE-MPs affected membrane translocation by up-regulating lipids and lipid-like molecules, whereas FTPP-MPs changed xenobiotic biodegradation and metabolism by down-regulating organoheterocyclic compounds compared to the pristine PE- and PP-MPs. This study concludes that FT-aged MPs cause greater toxicity to earthworms compared to pristine MPs.