Soil-Plant Interactions under Legacy and Emerging Environmental Contaminants

Soil is a dynamic interface connecting mineral, organic, biological, hydrological, and atmospheric processes. Changes in pH, redox conditions, organic matter, nutrient availability, mineral composition, and land management can substantially modify the speciation, sorption, mobility, and bioavailability of contaminants. These changes also affect nutrient cycling and plant acquisition, creating important interactions between soil fertility and contaminant risk.At the same time, emerging contaminants are introducing additional complexity into terrestrial ecosystems and may interact with pre-existing contaminants and soil constituents in ways that remain insufficiently understood. A process-based understanding of these interactions across the soil–rhizosphere–plant continuum is therefore needed to develop resilient and sustainable soil management strategies.Soils are increasingly exposed to complex combinations of environmental stressors, including legacy contaminants such as potentially toxic elements and newer classes of emerging contaminants such as microplastics, PFAS, pharmaceuticals, and other anthropogenic chemicals. Their environmental behavior cannot be understood solely from total concentrations because changes in soil physicochemical conditions, nutrient status, mineral–organic interactions, and rhizosphere processes strongly influence contaminant mobility, bioavailability, and transfer to plants. Furthermore, management practices intended to improve soil fertility or remediate contamination may alter these processes and create beneficial effects or unintended trade-offs.This Research Topic aims to advance understanding of the biogeochemical processes governing contaminant–soil–plant interactions and to identify sustainable approaches for maintaining soil health, crop productivity, and environmental quality in contaminated or environmentally stressed terrestrial systems. Particular emphasis will be placed on integrating mechanistic understanding with practical monitoring, management, and remediation strategies.This Research Topic welcomes studies addressing soil biogeochemistry, soil–plant interactions, and environmental contaminants, including, but not limited to:Mobility, speciation, bioavailability, and plant uptake of potentially toxic elements and emerging contaminants;Effects of pH, redox conditions, organic matter, minerals, and nutrient status on contaminant behavior;Interactions among contaminants, nutrients, and soil amendments;Rhizosphere processes and contaminant transfer through the soil–plant continuum;Co-occurrence and combined effects of legacy and emerging contaminants;Impacts of climate and environmental changes on contaminant biogeochemistry;Soil health, nutrient cycling, and contaminant risk assessment;Biochar, liming materials, mineral amendments, and other sustainable remediation strategies;Innovative approaches for soil and contaminant monitoring and assessment;Management strategies that integrate soil fertility, crop productivity, remediation, and environmental protection. Topic editors: Deepanjan Mridha, Dr. Madhurima Joardar Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/85715/soil-plant-interactions-under-legacy-and-emerging-environmental-contaminants