Restoration and Regeneration of Contaminated Soils for Protecting Ecosystem

Soil contamination poses risks to agricultural productivity, food safety, ecosystem functioning and human health. This review examines the sources and consequences of soil pollution and evaluates approaches for restoring contaminated soils, with particular attention to their implications for ecosystem protection. The discussion covers contamination by heavy metals, pesticides, petroleum hydrocarbons and other persistent pollutants, together with pathways through which these substances may affect terrestrial environments and human exposure. Physical and chemical approaches, including soil washing and electrokinetic remediation, are considered alongside biological strategies such as microbial bioremediation, phytoremediation, vermiremediation and mycoremediation. The review also addresses the roles of organic amendments, biochar and nano-bioremediation in reducing contaminant mobility, toxicity or bioavailability. Across these approaches, remediation outcomes depend on contaminant characteristics, soil conditions and the biological agents or treatment processes employed. Restoring soil function may contribute to safer crop production, reduced contaminant movement into water, the recovery of soil biodiversity and the maintenance of carbon-related ecosystem functions. These potential benefits are relevant to sustainable development goals concerning food security, health, water quality, responsible production, climate action and terrestrial ecosystems. The review identifies the need for integrated remediation approaches, appropriate monitoring and further field-scale assessment, particularly for persistent pollutants. Soil restoration should therefore be evaluated not only in terms of contaminant reduction but also in relation to the recovery of ecological functions and the reduction of human exposure risks.