Volume 1 Issue 1 (2025)

Urbanization profoundly alters soil health via biome homogenization and pollution accumulation, threatening ecosystem sustainability. This study investigated soil microbial communities, resistance genes, and remediation efficiency across three climatic zones (tundra: Helsinki; temperate: Baltimore; tropical: Singapore) and 13 Chinese cities. We validated an integrated sustainability evaluation tool for remediation techniques and proposed a "triple regulation" strategy coupling biogeochemical cycles, nanotechnology, and carbon sequestration. Results revealed urban-driven bacterial homogenization (37% higher than natural forests) and heavy metal-induced resistance gene enrichment. The proposed tool prioritized phytoremediation and modified biochar as optimal sustainable solutions. This study provides a cross-scale framework for balancing urbanization and soil health.

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Urbanization intensifies soil health degradation in urban green spaces via compaction, heavy metal (HM) accumulation, and microbial community disruption. This study assessed soil physicochemical properties, microbial diversity, and enzyme activities across 56 urban green spaces in 4 countries (USA, Japan, Belgium, China). Three sustainable remediation technologies (biochar amendment, mycorrhizal inoculation, phytoremediation) were optimized and validated. Results showed urban soils had 32% higher bulk density, 2.1-fold higher Pb/Cd concentrations, and 28% lower microbial diversity than suburban soils. The optimized biochar-mycorrhizal combined remediation increased soil organic carbon by 41% and reduced HM bioavailability by 68%. This study provides a cross-regional framework for urban soil health management.

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Urbanization-induced degradation of suburban wetlands threatens soil health via hydrological alteration, nutrient enrichment, and heavy metal (HM) accumulation. This study assessed soil health indicators (hydrological properties, nutrient cycling, microbial functional diversity) across 60 suburban wetlands in 5 countries (UK, China, Spain, Japan, USA). A novel ecological remediation technology (submerged macrophyte-biochar composite) was developed and validated. Results showed urbanized wetlands had 45% lower saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat), 3.8-fold higher total nitrogen (TN) content, 2.5-fold higher HM (Cd, Pb) concentrations, and 32% lower microbial functional diversity than non-urbanized wetlands. The proposed technology increased Ksat by 62%, reduced TN by 48% and HM bioavailability by 71%, while enhancing microbial diversity by 38%. This study provides an ecosystem-specific framework for suburban wetland soil health preservation amid urbanization.

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Urbanization-driven expansion into mining-affected areas exacerbates soil health degradation via heavy metal (HM) mobilization, soil erosion, and vegetation loss. This study assessed soil health indicators (physicochemical properties, microbial activity, vegetation coverage) across 54 mining-affected sites in 5 countries (USA, China, Portugal, Germany, Australia). A novel integrated remediation technology (biochar-compost-metal-resistant microbe composite) was developed and validated. Results showed urbanized mining soils had 42% lower soil organic carbon (SOC), 3.6-fold higher HM (As, Pb, Zn) concentrations, 58% lower microbial biomass, and 65% lower vegetation coverage than non-urbanized mining soils. The proposed technology increased SOC by 45%, reduced HM bioavailability by 73%, restored microbial biomass by 62%, and achieved 82% vegetation coverage. This study provides a sustainable framework for soil-vegetation system restoration in urbanizing mining areas.

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Urbanization-driven farmland conversion and pollution pose severe threats to soil health and food security. This study evaluated soil health indicators (physicochemical properties, microbial function, nutrient cycling) across 72 urban-peri-urban farmlands in 5 countries (USA, China, Spain, Japan, UK). A novel low-carbon remediation technology (biochar-biogas slurry co-application) was developed and validated. Results showed urban-peri-urban farmlands had 29% lower soil organic matter (SOM), 3.2-fold higher heavy metal (Cd, Cu) concentrations, and 41% lower microbial respiration than rural farmlands. The proposed technology increased SOM by 38%, reduced HM bioavailability by 65%, and cut carbon emissions by 42% compared to traditional chemical remediation. This study provides a low-carbon pathway for farmland soil health preservation amid urbanization.

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