NUTCLIME · Impacts of MEtal and CLImate change on NUTrient cycling in the rhizosphere of phytoremediating plants

Impacts of MEtal and CLImate change on NUTrient cycling in the rhizosphere of phytoremediating plants

Metal pollution in soils remains a significant environmental challenge with far-reaching implications for human health, food security, and ecosystem stability. Heavy metals, such as cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), and lead (Pb), are present in soils due to natural processes like the weathering of metal-rich rocks. However, human activities—including mining, industrial emissions, and the use of fertilizers and pesticides—are the primary contributors to soil contamination, releasing toxic metals at unprecedented levels. Metal contamination not only reduces crop yield and food nutritional quality but also poses a significant risk to public health, as toxic metals can enter food and water supplies. The availability and mobility of these metals in soil depend on several factors, including soil pH, organic matter content, redox potential, and microbial activity. These interactions are further influenced by climate change, which alters soil processes and metal dynamics through shifts in temperature, moisture, and plant-soil interactions. Despite advances in remediation strategies, such as phytoremediation using metal-accumulating plants, the combined effects of metal contamination and climate change on nutrient cycling, soil microbial communities, and plant growth remain poorly understood. This knowledge gap limits the development of effective, sustainable solutions for managing contaminated soils under changing environmental conditions. To address this gap, the project aimed to investigate the interplay between metal contamination, climate change, and rhizosphere processes in soils. Specifically, it focused on understanding how these factors influence nutrient cycling, microbial dynamics, and plant-soil interactions, using the hyperaccumulator plant Arabidopsis halleri as a model system. By integrating innovative methodologies, including advanced imaging techniques and molecular analyses, the project aimed to provide new insights for improving soil health, advancing phytoremediation, and ensuring agricultural sustainability under future climate scenarios.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union