Agronomic and Ecological Impacts of Metal Toxicity: Assessment and Bioremediation

Dear Colleagues,

Natural and agricultural ecosystems are being constantly challenged by different environmental stress factors. Environmental pollution by metal(loid)s (e.g., heavy metals) is a serious problem worldwide, as soils and aquatic resources are becoming increasingly contaminated, threatening land ecosystems, surface and groundwater, as well as food safety and human health.

The primary sources contributing to this extended pollution are anthropogenic inputs related to the burning of fossil fuels, mining and continued industrial activities, the disposal of municipal solid wastes and wastewater discharges or use for irrigation, and the excessive utilization of fertilizers and pesticides. As a result of these human activities, there has been an extensive increase in the area affected by this type of pollutants, which must be remedied to prevent or mitigate the transfer of contaminants to other terrestrial, atmospheric, or aquatic environments.

Numerous studies have demonstrated the adverse effect of different metal(loid)s on the soil microbial diversity and their adverse interaction with plants in polluted soils, which can lead to changes in ecosystem dynamics in natural environments and in an agricultural context be a major restriction on productivity. In these adverse conditions, organisms can respond by activating defense mechanisms against an excess of metal(loid)s, leading to structural, physiological, and biochemical adaptations. Understanding the effects of metal(loid)s on plants and the mechanisms that lead to increased tolerance or susceptibility, including the influence of beneficial microorganisms, is essential for the development of improved toxicity assessment tools and remediation strategies.

The goals of this Special Issue were to gather emergent research dedicated to the advancements on the assessment of metal(loid) toxicity and on novel bioremediation strategies in polluted environments, with special emphasis on sustainable agricultural practices and in strategies to reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss. Towards a framework of sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, manuscripts dedicated to improving our understanding about plant and/or microbes’ responses to single or combined metal(loid)s stresses are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Ana Paula Honrado Pinto
Dr. Jorge M. S. Faria
Guest Editors

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• bioremediation
• defense mechanisms
• ionomics
• metal toxicity assessment
• metalloids
• metallomics
• microorganisms
• plant stress
• soil health
• sustainable agriculture