The fate and ecological risk of mefentrifluconazole in the water-sediment system: A systematic analysis at the enantiomer level

Triazole fungicides occupy a significant position in the global fungicidal market. Mefentrifluconazole (MFZ) is a new-generation chiral triazole fungicide with broad applications. It can effectively control several rice fungal diseases; thus, its wide application increases its risk of entering the water and sediment in ecosystems. In this study, the stereoselective fate and risk of MFZ in the water-sediment system were investigated. The results showed stereoselective differences in the acute toxicity and fate of MFZ enantiomers (S-MFZ and R-MFZ) in the water-sediment system, with S-MFZ being more toxic and persistent. Both R-MFZ and S-MFZ induced significant decreases in the oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) value and organic matter (OM) content of the sediment. Additionally, soil enzyme activity in the sediments changed in varying degrees during exposure. Further microbiome sequencing results showed that both R-MFZ and S-MFZ induced changes in the composition of sediment microbial communities and decreased species diversity, which, in turn, affected the metabolic processes of microorganisms and the function of glycosyltransferase (GT) enzymes, especially S-MFZ. Correlation analysis showed that stereoselectivity in the interaction between the MFZ enantiomers and GT enzymes induced a difference in the synthesis of lipopolysaccharides; thus, affecting the abundances of the relevant bacterial genera and carbohydrate metabolic pathways. Exposure to MFZ enantiomers induced an increase in the abundance of anaerobic bacteria, such as Methylophilus and Rhodoferax, which exacerbated the anaerobic environment of the sediment system, leading to acidification and accelerated nutrient decomposition.