This last week, three papers of our group have been accepted (certainly, a very productive week!!). The first one, accepted in Science of the Total Environment, deals with the enhancement of ecosystem services during endophyte-assisted aided phytostabilization of metal contaminated mine soil. In this study, we used Festuca rubra plants and a Pseudomonas sp. isolate, finding out that the endophyte inoculation improved the physiological status of F. rubra plants. The second paper, accepted in Metallomics, summarizes a study on the early transcriptomic response of Arabidopsis thaliana to polymetallic contamination and the implications for the identification of potential biomarkers of metal exposure. We concluded that four genes deserve further studies as novel putative biomarkers of early metal exposure and also owing to their potential implications in stress-related mechanisms: sulphur balance (AOP2), phytohormone regulation of plant growth and development (SAUR16), ammonium detoxification (ASN1) and senescence (DIN2). Finally, in the third paper, accepted in Applied Soil Ecology, we emphasize, from a biologist´s point of view, the need to incorporate new approaches to soil contamination research by suggesting proposals of research development in the fields of characterization, impact, remediation, monitoring and prevention of soil contamination. We currently have two other manuscripts under review…
