Soil Microorganisms as Drivers of Pollutant Degradation, Metal Detoxification, and Sustainable Agriculture

Soil microorganisms are essential drivers of ecosystem functioning and mediate pollutant degradation, metal detoxification, and nutrient cycling. This review aims to synthesize recent mechanistic advances in understanding how microbes degrade organic contaminants, transform or immobilize metals, mitigate toxic effects on plants through chelation, redox reactions, sequestration, and support soil structure and fertility. Microbial consortia and rhizosphere-associated taxa accelerate pollutant breakdown, reduce metal toxicity, and enhance plant resilience in acidic or contaminated soils. Integration of microbial processes with amendments such as biochar and organic matter further improve remediation efficiency and sustainability. Key insights reveal that microbial signaling networks, biofilm formation, and plant-microbe interactions are critical for maintaining the ecosystem stability under stress. These findings underscore the potential of microbial driven strategies to restore degraded soils, minimize reliance on chemical inputs, and promote sustainable agricultural practices, although field-scale persistence and ecological interactions warrant further research.