Microbial Bioactives
Microbial Bioactives | Online ISSN 2209-2161
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Volume 5 Number 2 2022
REVIEWS (Open Access)
Threshold-Dependent Effects of Lead (Pb) on Soil Microbial Diversity and Denitrifying Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analytical Perspective
Rita S. Adam 1*
Microbial Bioactives 5 (2) 1-8 https://doi.org/10.25163/microbbioacts.5210707
Submitted: 12 March 2022 Revised: 10 May 2022 Accepted: 17 May 2022 Published: 19 May 2022
Abstract
Soil microbial communities are central to ecosystem functioning, regulating nutrient cycling, organic matter turnover, and soil fertility. However, these communities are increasingly threatened by heavy metal contamination, particularly lead (Pb), a persistent and non-essential toxic element widely distributed due to industrialization, mining, urbanization, and agricultural activities. Although numerous studies have examined Pb toxicity in soils, reported effects on microbial diversity and function remain inconsistent, largely due to variations in soil properties, contamination levels, exposure duration, and methodological approaches. This systematic review and meta-analytical synthesis consolidates evidence from peer-reviewed studies published before 2023 to clarify how Pb contamination influences soil bacterial diversity, community composition, and denitrification-related functions. Across studies, increasing Pb concentrations were generally associated with reduced microbial richness and diversity, as indicated by Shannon and Chao1 indices, alongside pronounced shifts in community structure. Importantly, the analysis highlights threshold-dependent responses, where microbial communities exhibited relative stability at lower Pb concentrations but experienced rapid diversity loss and functional disruption beyond critical contamination levels. Denitrifying communities were particularly sensitive, reflecting the vulnerability of nitrogen-cycling processes to metal stress. Soil pH, organic matter content, and co-occurring metals emerged as key modulators of Pb bioavailability and microbial response, often buffering or intensifying toxicity. Evidence also suggests partial functional resilience driven by microbial redundancy and long-term adaptation in chronically contaminated soils. By integrating taxonomic and functional outcomes across diverse soil systems, this synthesis provides a clearer framework for understanding Pb-induced microbial stress, identifying ecological tipping points, and informing soil risk assessment, remediation strategies, and sustainable land management.
Keywords: Lead contamination; soil microbiome; microbial diversity; denitrification; heavy metals; systematic review; meta-analysis
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