rare-earth-contamination
Rare-earth contamination refers to the accumulation of lanthanide elements (such as lanthanum, cerium, and neodymium) in soils and plants due to mining activities, fertilizer use, and industrial emissions. These elements can be taken up by plant roots, potentially disrupting nutrient uptake, enzyme activity, and cellular processes, with effects that vary by concentration and species. Understanding how plants respond to and accumulate rare-earth elements is increasingly important as global demand for these metals grows and agricultural soils face greater exposure risk.
PubMed · 2026-12-31
Scientists found that combining triacontanol (a natural plant growth stimulant) with biochar made from rice stalks helps wheat plants cope with contamination by neodymium, a rare earth element used in electronics and magnets. Together, these two amendments reduced oxidative damage and restored normal plant signaling in wheat exposed to toxic soil conditions.
The combination of triacontanol and rice stalk-derived biochar reduced oxidative stress markers in wheat, indicating improved cellular protection under neodymium toxicity.
The treatment modulated stress signaling pathways in wheat, helping restore redox homeostasis — the chemical balance cells need to function normally.
Rice stalk biochar, an agricultural waste product, proved effective as a soil amendment component, suggesting a sustainable recycling pathway for crop residues in remediation strategies.
