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Agriculture

Cadmium and PAHs Co-Contamination in Soils Threatens Crop Safety

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Soil co-contamination with cadmium (Cd) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) poses significant risks to crop safety and food security. Researchers from Hebei Agricultural University investigated the effects of PAHs on Cd uptake and plant metabolism in maize (Zea mays L.) exposed to phenanthrene (Phe) and Cd pollution. The study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying Cd bioaccumulation and plant metabolic responses to combined pollution.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study demonstrated that Cd accumulation in maize plants was significantly reduced when Phe was present (9% reduction in roots and 44% in stems and leaves compared to Cd single pollution).
  • Maize plants exposed to combined Cd-Phe pollution showed no significant impact on height or chlorophyll content but experienced a marked reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) content.
  • The combined pollution increased proline content by 56% and antioxidant enzyme activity by 15% (peroxidase, POD), 24% (superoxide dismutase, SOD), and 57% (catalase, CAT) compared to the control treatment.
  • Metabolomics analysis revealed that the coexistence of Phe and Cd activated four key metabolic pathways: (a) alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism; (b) valine, leucine, and isoleucine biosynthesis; (c) aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis; and (d) histidine metabolism.
  • The activation of these pathways resulted in increased levels of six differential metabolites: L-asparagine, L-methionine, L-glutamate, (S)-2-acetyl-2-hydroxybutanoic acid, urocanic acid, and 2-isopropylmalic acid.

Statistics:

  • Cd accumulation reduction in roots: 9%
  • Cd accumulation reduction in stems and leaves: 44%
  • Increase in proline content: 56%
  • Increase in peroxidase (POD) activity: 15%
  • Increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity: 24%
  • Increase in catalase (CAT) activity: 57%

Sources:

  • Effects of Phenanthrene Soil Pollution on Cadmium Bioaccumulation and Metabolic Responses in Maize (Zea mays L.). Agriculture, 2025, 15(18): 1957.
  • State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation
  • Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, People's Republic of China
  • MDPI AG, publisher of Agriculture journal
  • doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15181957

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