Multiomics Reveals the Mechanisms of Rhizosphere Symbiotic Fungi in Mitigating Micro(nano)plastics Transfer and Toxicity in Food Chains

Soil micro(nano)plastics (MNPs) pollution is becoming increasingly prominent, posing a serious threat to ecological security. However, few studies have examined the remediation of soil MNPs pollution. This study constructed a multidimensional coupled system of soil-microbe interface plants-animals, in order to investigate the pathways and key mechanisms underlying rhizosphere microbiome-mediated inhibition of trophic transfer and toxicity of MNPs. The findings demonstrated that the common root-associated soil microorganisms, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), exhibit a mitigation effect on the food chain ecological stress of various MNPs in the environment. The mitigation was primarily manifested as a 45.57-56.52% reduction of MNPs concentration in animals and plants (due to changes in the rhizosphere environment and MNPs aging, which inhibit MNPs migration) and a decrease in MNPs binding ability to organisms. Additionally, analysis of molecular regulatory mechanisms showed that AMF mediation improved the substance synthesis and defensive pathways of plants under MNPs stress, and their palatability as food, leading to increased immune regulation and energy metabolism functions in snails consuming AMF-mediated leaves. These findings provide a theoretical basis and technical support for the development of green and efficient biological control technologies for soil MNPs pollution.