Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• • Norfloxacin input significantly increased short-chain PFAS release from paddy soil to overlying water, with PFBA showing a notable positive correlation (Spearman) with ammonia-oxidizing archaea (Nitrososphaera), indicating a microbial-mediated mobilization pathway. • • Metagenomic analysis identified archaeal and viral communities as the primary contributors to PFAS interfacial release, with Bcep22virus exhibiting significant negative correlations with multiple PFAS, suggesting viral predation or gene transfer mechanisms influence PFAS fate. • • QNs suppressed key functional genes in archaea and viruses, including those involved in nitrogen metabolism, secretion systems, and outer membrane proteins, as revealed by differential gene expression and gene-PFAS co-occurrence networks, providing a mechanistic link between antibiotic stress and PFAS mobility. • • Long-chain PFAS remained largely retained in the soil solid phase, contrasting with short-chain PFAS, highlighting chain-length-dependent sorption behavior and the potential for differential environmental transport and bioavailability.
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are emerging contaminants ubiquitously distributed in paddy soils. In paddy management, surface water irrigation introduces quinolone antibiotics (QNs) into the soil, potentially altering PFAS interfacial migration via microbial community shifts. This study investigated the soil-water partitioning of PFAS under irrigation with four QNs (norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin, ofloxacin) using UHPLC-MS/MS and soil metagenomics. Results showed that QNs input, especially norfloxacin, significantly promoted the release of short-chain PFAS (e.g., PFBA) from soil to overlying water, while long-chain PFAS remained largely retained in soil. Metagenomic analysis revealed that archaeal and viral communities contributed most to PFAS release. Spearman correlations indicated ammonia-oxidizing archaea (Nitrososphaera) positively correlated with PFBA, whereas Bcep22virus negatively correlated with multiple PFAS. Differential gene expression and co-occurrence networks suggested QNs suppressed key functional genes in archaea and viruses (nitrogen metabolism, secretion systems, outer membrane proteins), reshaping interfacial partitioning and enhancing short-chain PFAS mobility, thereby increasing food security risks.
1. Introduction
The widespread presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in agricultural soils poses a significant threat to food safety and human health. In paddy fields, irrigation with surface water contaminated by quinolone antibiotics (QNs) is a common practice, yet the interactive effects of these co-occurring contaminants on PFAS fate remain poorly understood. Traditional studies have focused on PFAS sorption to soil, but the role of microbial communities in mediating their interfacial release under antibiotic stress has been largely overlooked. This study addresses this gap by employing a metagenomics approach to elucidate the multi-community regulation of PFAS diffusion at the soil-water interface.
The experimental design simulates realistic irrigation scenarios with four typical QNs, providing a robust assessment of their impact on PFAS partitioning. By integrating chemical analysis with metagenomic sequencing, the research uncovers specific microbial taxa and functional genes that correlate with PFAS release. The findings challenge the assumption that PFAS are immobile in soils, particularly for short-chain congeners, and highlight the potential for antibiotic contamination to exacerbate PFAS mobility. This work offers critical insights for risk assessment and management of co-contaminated agricultural environments.
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HUANG Xinlin, BI Wuxia, TU Wenqing, WU Jianyi (2026). Interface Diffusion of PFAS in Paddy Soil under Quinolone Antibiotic Input: A Metagenomics-Based Multi-Community Regulation Mechanism. Environmental Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2026041402
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the specific effect of norfloxacin on short-chain PFAS release compared to other QNs?
Norfloxacin (NOR) showed the most pronounced effect, significantly promoting the release of short-chain PFAS (e.g., PFBA) from soil to overlying water. This was evidenced by a significant positive correlation between PFBA concentration and ammonia-oxidizing archaea (Nitrososphaera), suggesting a microbial-mediated mechanism. Other QNs (CIP, ENR, OFL) also influenced PFAS partitioning but to a lesser extent.
How do archaeal and viral communities contribute to PFAS interfacial diffusion?
Metagenomic analysis revealed that archaeal and viral communities were the primary contributors to PFAS release. Specifically, ammonia-oxidizing archaea (Nitrososphaera) positively correlated with short-chain PFBA, while Bcep22virus negatively correlated with multiple PFAS. This suggests that QNs may suppress key functional genes in these communities, altering their metabolic activities and thereby affecting PFAS mobility.
What are the implications of long-chain PFAS retention in soil for environmental risk?
Long-chain PFAS remained largely retained in the soil solid phase, indicating lower mobility compared to short-chain PFAS. This differential behavior implies that long-chain PFAS may accumulate in soils, posing a long-term source of contamination, while short-chain PFAS are more readily transported to water, increasing the risk of groundwater contamination and plant uptake.
How does QNs input affect the expression of functional genes related to PFAS mobility?
QNs input suppressed key functional genes in archaea and viruses, including those involved in nitrogen metabolism, secretion systems, and outer membrane proteins. This suppression was linked to enhanced short-chain PFAS release, as revealed by differential gene expression and gene-PFAS co-occurrence networks. The findings suggest that antibiotic stress can reshape microbial community functions, indirectly influencing PFAS fate.
What are the potential food security risks associated with QNs-induced PFAS mobilization?
Enhanced short-chain PFAS release to overlying water increases their bioavailability to crops, potentially leading to higher PFAS accumulation in rice grains. This poses a direct risk to human food security, as PFAS are persistent and toxic. The study underscores the need to consider co-contamination scenarios in agricultural risk assessments.
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