Effective Microbial Strategies to Remediate Contaminated Agricultural Soils and Conserve Functions

• Published in: Agronomy (Basel) 2024-11, Vol.14 (11), p.2637
• Main Authors: Oro, Carolina E. Demaman, Saorin Puton, Bruna M., Venquiaruto, Luciana D., Dallago, Rogério M., Tres, Marcus V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural ecosystems; Agricultural expansion; Agricultural industry; Agricultural land; Agricultural pollution; Agricultural practices; Agricultural production; Agricultural wastes; Agriculture; agro-waste management; Agrochemicals; Analysis; Bacteria; Biodegradation; Biodiversity; Biological diversity conservation; Bioremediation; Cadmium; Chemical elements; Cycles; Ecosystems; Electronic waste; Energy efficiency; Environmental degradation; Environmental impact; Environmental quality; Food contamination; Food production; Food quality; Fungi; Health risks; Heavy metals; Herbicides; Hydrocarbons; Intensive farming; Metabolites; Microbial activity; Microbial contamination; Microbiology; Microbiota; Microorganisms; Nitrogen; Nutrient cycles; Nutrients; Organic matter; Organic soils; Pathogens; PCB; Pesticides; Plant growth; Pollutants; Polychlorinated biphenyls; Productivity; Soil biology; Soil chemistry; Soil conservation; Soil contamination; Soil degradation; Soil fertility; soil health; Soil improvement; Soil microbiology; Soil microorganisms; Soil pollution; Soil remediation; Soils; Sustainable agriculture; Toxicity; VOCs; Volatile organic compounds
• ISSN: 2073-4395; 2073-4395
• DOI: 10.3390/agronomy14112637

The growing global emphasis on sustainable agriculture has brought increased attention to the health and productivity of soils, especially through the lens of soil microbiology. Microbial communities in soil are essential for nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, and maintaining overall soil health. However, agricultural practices, including synthetic fertilizers and intensive farming, have led to short time impacts in these microbial ecosystems, potentially threatening soil fertility and environmental quality. Agricultural expansion and food production generate waste and chemical inputs, such as heavy metals, pesticides, and herbicides, leading to significant environmental contamination. This scenario requires the implementation of remediation strategies that are both sustainable and energy efficient. In this context, microbiological processes present a much promising approach to mitigating the environmental impacts of soil pollution. Techniques such as bioremediation, which harness the natural metabolic capabilities of soil microorganisms, and bioaugmentation, which involves the introduction of specific microbial strains to increase degradation processes, are being explored. These approaches are vital for restoring soil health, contributing to environmental conservation and soil biodiversity, improving nutrient cycling, and promoting long-term agricultural productivity.