Scientists have developed a new material that effectively remediates soil co-contaminated with heavy metals and antibiotics, a common problem due to livestock farming.

Livestock farming pollutants contribute significantly to the accumulation of heavy metals, antibiotics, and their resistance genes in farmland soils. This co-contamination poses a significant threat to ecological and environmental safety. However, current remediation techniques fall short in cold regions, highlighting the need for innovative solutions.

The researchers at the Institute of Applied Ecology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, led by Dr. GONG Zongqiang, have taken uo this challenge. Using soil from livestock and poultry farm in Liaoning Province, they investigated the migration patterns of heavy metals, antibiotics, and resistance genes.

By assessing the ecological risks associated with livestock and poultry farm pollution, they developed a novel remediation material: Herbaspirillum-fungus chaff-biochar. This innovative combination efficiently remediates co-contaminated soils even under low temperature conditions.

To gain deeper insights, the researchers used high-throughput sequencing and gene chip technologies and revealed the mechanisms by which Herbaspirillum huttiense and native microorganisms work together to reduce heavy metals, antibiotics, and induced resistance genes.

They further clarified the crucial link between environmental factors and microbial communities during the remediation process, ultimately enhancing our understanding of biochar-based microbial materials in the remediation of (heavy metals and antibiotics) co-contaminated soils.

The developed material has already been successfully applied in pilot projects for poultry farm soil remediation in Xiuyan County and Haicheng City, Anshan, Liaoning Province. In addition, two invention patents (2023) have been granted for the bacteria and composite materials, indicationg their potential for widespread application in the remediation of contaminated soil.