Enhancing remediation potential of heavy metal contaminated soils through synergistic application of microbial inoculants and legumes

Abstract

Soil microorganisms play a crucial role in remediating contaminated soils in modern ecosystems. However, the potential of combining microorganisms with legumes to enhance the remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils remains unexplored. To investigate this, we isolated and purified a highly efficient cadmium and lead-tolerant strain. Through soil-cultivated pot experiments with two leguminous plants (Robinia pseudoacacia L. and Sophora xanthantha), we studied the effects of applying this microbial agent on plant nutrient uptake of soil nutrients, heavy metal accumulation, and the dynamics of heavy metal content. Additionally, we examined the response characteristics of inter-root microbial and bacterial communities. The results demonstrated that microorganisms screened from heavy metal-contaminated soil environments exhibited strong survival and adaptability in heavy metal solutions. The use of the Serratia marcescens WZ14 strain-phytoremediation significantly increased the soil’s ammonium nitrogen (AN) and organic carbon (OC) contents compared to monoculture. In addition, the lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) contents of the soil significantly decreased after combined remediation than those of the soil before potting. However, the remediation effects on Pb- and Cd-contaminated soils differed between the two legumes following the Serratia marcescens WZ14 inoculation. The combined restoration altered the composition of the plant inter-rhizosphere bacterial community, with the increase in the relative abundance of both Proteobacteria and Firmicutes. Overall, the combined remediation using the tolerant strain WZ14 with legumes proved advantageous. It effectively reduced the heavy metal content of the soil, minimized the risk of heavy metal migration, and enhanced heavy metal uptake, accumulation, and translocation in the legumes of S. xanthantha and R. pseudoacacia. Additionally, it improved the adaptability and resistance of both legumes, leading to an overall improvement in the soil’s environmental quality. These studies can offer primary data and technical support for remediating and treating Cd and Pb in soils, as well as rehabilitating mining sites.