Managing soil contamination risks: Microbiome and agricultural practices: a review

Abstract

. Microbial diversity and function are central components of soil quality and overall soil health. When ecological conditions shift-whether because of farming practices or contamination-soil microbial communities can undergo structural and functional changes that ultimately alter soil fertility and ecosystem performance. To effectively assess how anthropogen - ic agricultural stressors affect soil functions, we need tools that provide valuable information to various soil stakeholders (farmers, industry, authorities, and citizens) to address these stressors through environmental risk assessment. Some measures should also be implemented to reduce the risk of ongoing contamination from common agricultural practices, such as the distribution of fertiliser products, particularly those of livestock origin. This review presents potential methods for assessing soil contamination using soil microbiome analysis, highlighting their challenges. Moreover, methods to reduce the load of emerging soil contaminants (antibiotics, microplastics) and organic fertilising products based on microbial processes are also described.