The Remediation of Arsenic-Contaminated Soil by <i>Pteris vittata</i> L. Facilitates the Recovery of Soil Bacterial Diversity and Network Complexity.

Abstract

The remediation of contaminated soils is essential for restoring land productivity and soil health. <i>Pteris vittata</i> L., an arsenic hyperaccumulator, has been widely used for phytoremediation, yet its ecological effects on soil systems remain insufficiently understood. In this field study, we evaluated the influence of <i>Pteris vittata</i> L. remediation on soil physico-chemical properties, microbial diversity, and molecular ecological networks. The results showed that long-term arsenic contamination significantly reduced soil total carbon, total nitrogen, and available phosphorus, simplified bacterial network structures, and markedly altered the keystone taxa that maintain microbial interactions. In contrast, soils under <i>Pteris vittata</i> L. remediation exhibited higher nutrient availability, greater bacterial diversity, and more complex microbial networks than contaminated soils, indicating partial recovery of ecosystem functions. These findings demonstrate that <i>Pteris vittata</i> L. remediation can mitigate arsenic-induced soil degradation and provide an important scientific basis for assessing the long-term impacts of arsenic contamination and the role of remediation measures in soil health evolution.