Pollution Status,\nEcological Effects, and Bioremediation\nStrategies of Phthalic Acid Esters in Agricultural Ecosystems: A Review

Phthalic acid esters (PAEs) are common organic contaminants\nin\nfarmland soil throughout agricultural systems, posing significant\nthreats to human health and thus closely associated with food safety\nconcerns. Here, we consolidate the latest findings regarding the distribution,\necological effects, bioremediation methods, and microbial degradation\npathways of PAEs in agricultural ecosystems. Generally, di(2-ethylhexyl)\nphthalate (DEHP), di-<i>n</i>-butyl phthalate (DnBP), and\ndi-isobutyl phthalate (DiBP) exhibit the highest detection frequencies\nand concentrations in soil, air and agricultural products. The presence\nof these PAEs in agricultural ecosystems can significantly affect\nsoil and plant-associated microbial communities, leading to decreased\nyield and quality of agricultural products. Bioremediation techniques,\nsuch as microbial degradation and phytoremediation, are frequently\nexplored to address these issues. Overall, this review provides a\ncomprehensive overview of current research on PAEs in China’s\nagricultural systems and offers insights into potential problems and\nfuture research directions.