Phytotest-based study on the concentration-dependent dynamic interactions of Cd, Pb, and As under multiple exposure conditions in purple soilsстатьяИсследовательская статья
Статья опубликована в высокорейтинговом журнале
Информация о цитировании статьи получена из
Scopus
Статья опубликована в журнале из списка Web of Science и/или Scopus
Дата последнего поиска статьи во внешних источниках: 23 января 2026 г.
Аннотация:The rising incidence of multimetal contamination highlights limitations of static dose-addition (TU–CA) ecotoxicological models, which fail to capture concentration-dependent nonlinear interactions. Using short-term phytotests with Brassica napus and Sorghum bicolor in representative purple soils, this study quantifies concentration-dependent interactions among Cd, Pb and As under single and combined exposures, and develops a concentration-driven mechanistic framework. This study proposes the “functional dominance structure” and a nonlinear toxicity-regulation model driven by limitation–interference–reconfiguration, incorporating a sign function and TU–RGR residual correction to reconcile theoretical predictions with observed responses. Single Cd exposure elicited B. napus at low doses (EC₁₅₀ shoot/root = 6.75/1.62 mg·kg⁻¹) with attenuated effects at higher concentrations, whereas S. bicolor showed no significant response. Pb and As induced continuous dose-dependent inhibition in both species, with As exhibiting the highest toxicity (IC₅₀ for B. napus shoots/roots = 115/82 mg·kg⁻¹; S. bicolor = 218/134 mg·kg⁻¹).All metal combinations exhibited nonlinear shifts from low-dose buffering or synergy toward pronounced antagonism at higher doses (toxicity ranking: Cd–As > Cd–Pb > Cd–Pb–As > Pb–As). Functional dominance is characterized by As acting as the primary toxicant, Cd functioning as a modulator, and Pb serving as an auxiliary competitor; sensitivity patterns were consistent across species and organs, with roots generally more vulnerable.This concentration-driven framework enhances mechanistic risk assessment and can inform rapid field triage and prioritized remediation strategies for multimetal-contaminated soils.