Disease: soil degradation

Effects of Long-Term Heavy Metal Pollution on Microbial Community Structure in Soil

Heavy metals from mining operations contaminate farmland soil and reduce its quality. This research examined how different types of bacteria and fungi adapt to living in heavily polluted soil by collecting samples from a contaminated farm in China. The study found that specific microorganism species thrive in different levels of contamination and could potentially be used to help clean up polluted soils through natural biological processes.

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Potential biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and petroleum hydrocarbons by indigenous fungi recovered from crude oil-contaminated soil in Iran

Scientists isolated fungi from oil-contaminated soil in Iran to find species that can break down petroleum pollutants. Two fungi species, Alternaria tenuissima and Epicoccum nigrum, showed exceptional ability to degrade harmful oil compounds called PAHs. When applied to contaminated soil in the laboratory, these fungi successfully eliminated over 70% of the long-chain hydrocarbons. This research offers a natural and cost-effective way to clean up oil-spilled soil without using harsh chemicals.

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Synergistic Effects of Lavandula angustifolia and a Bacterial Consortium on Bioremediation of a Heavy Metal-Contaminated Soil

This study demonstrates how planting lavender combined with beneficial soil bacteria can effectively clean industrial contaminated soil. Over 90 days, this combined approach significantly reduced toxic lead and tin in the soil while improving overall soil health. The lavender plant works synergistically with the bacteria to create an ideal environment for metal removal and soil recovery, offering a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional soil cleanup methods.

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Arbuscular Mycorrhizal and Trichoderma longibrachiatum Enhance Soil Quality and Improve Microbial Community Structure in Albic Soil Under Straw Return

Researchers found that combining two beneficial soil fungi—arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Trichoderma longibrachiatum—significantly improved poor quality albic soils when straw was returned to fields. The combined treatment increased soil pH, nutrients, and enzyme activity while promoting beneficial bacteria like Sphingomonas. This microbial approach offers farmers a sustainable, environmentally friendly way to restore degraded soils and improve agricultural productivity in regions with challenging soil conditions.

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Synergistic effects of beneficial microbial inoculants and SMS-amendments on improving soil properties and Pinus seedling growth in degraded soils

This study shows how mixing beneficial bacteria with mushroom waste can improve poor soil quality. The bacteria help break down the mushroom waste into nutrients that plants need, while also creating a healthier soil environment full of beneficial microbes. When this treated mushroom waste was added to degraded soil and used to grow pine seedlings, the plants grew taller with thicker stems and more leaves than in untreated soil. This approach offers a practical way to recycle agricultural waste while restoring damaged soils.

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Diversity and Ecology of Fungi from Underexplored and Extreme Environments

This editorial discusses a special collection of studies exploring fungi that thrive in extreme and challenging environments around the world, from frozen Arctic lakes to salty lagoons and polluted soils. These fungi have evolved remarkable abilities to survive harsh conditions and can even help clean up contaminated environments or support plant growth in degraded soils. Researchers are discovering previously unknown fungal species and understanding how these organisms function in ecosystems, with potential applications for cleaning pollution, improving agriculture, and biotechnology.

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Soil health alterations via compost additions to natural and remediated heavy metal-contaminated mineland soils

Abandoned mining sites in Missouri left contaminated soils that couldn’t support plant growth. Researchers tested whether adding compost could restore these soils to health comparable to natural prairie. They found that applying 180 tons of compost per hectare successfully restored soil quality and plant growth while keeping heavy metal levels safe for livestock, making it an effective and affordable solution for healing mining-damaged lands.

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