Toxicity thresholds and prediction models of combined pollution by cadmium and emerging contaminant in greenhousevegetable soils based on different test endpoints

LIU Jia-xiao; WANG Meng; SUN Xiao-yi; YU Lei; WANG Jing; ZHOU Ru-yan; QIN Lu-yao; CHEN Shi-bao

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China Environmental Science ›› 2026, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (1) : 416-428.

Toxicity thresholds and prediction models of combined pollution by cadmium and emerging contaminant in greenhousevegetable soils based on different test endpoints

LIU Jia-xiao, WANG Meng, SUN Xiao-yi, YU Lei, WANG Jing, ZHOU Ru-yan, QIN Lu-yao, CHEN Shi-bao

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Abstract

Toxicity thresholds (ECx) forCd, and in combination with tetracycline and imidacloprid, were determined based onthe soils collected from six typical greenhouse vegetable farms in China. Three toxicity endpoints includingthe growth of Brassica napus, the growth of the red earthworm Aedes aegypti and the soil microbial substrate-induced respiration (SIR) were applied, and the quantitative relationships and prediction models were established between the toxicity of the pollutants and key soil properties. The results showed that the toxicity dose-effect relationships of the pollutantsacross different soils and test endpoints typically followed a distinct S-shaped curve. For example, the toxicity thresholds forCd alone on B. napuswere 0.6~8.5mg/kg (EC₁₀) and 4.3~14.7mg/kg (EC₅₀), respectively. For the combined pollution of Cd and tetracycline, the corresponding values were 0.1~2.2mg/kg (EC₁₀) and 1.2~6.9mg/kg(EC₅₀). For the combination of Cd and imidacloprid, the values were 0.1~3.7mg/kg (EC₁₀) and 1.4~10.0mg/kg(EC₅₀). The toxicity thresholds of pollutants varied significantlydepending on the test endpoints, e.g., the sensitivity order for Cd and tetracycline was Chinese cabbage > earthworm > microorganisms, the toxicity thresholds for the combined pollutants were consistently lower than those for the single pollutants, indicating a synergistic effect. Additionally, a low-dose stimulation effect (hormesis) on the growth of B. napus was observed, with a maximum stimulation rate of 103% to 110%. Soil pH was identified as the primary factor controlling and predicting the toxicity thresholds. A comprehensive prediction model based on soil pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and organic carbon (OC) content was developed, which can effectively predict the toxicity thresholds and assess the ecological risks associated with the combined pollution of Cd and emerging contaminants in greenhouse vegetable soils.

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Cadmium / emerging contaminants / toxicity thresholds / predicative modeling / hormesis

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LIU Jia-xiao, WANG Meng, SUN Xiao-yi, YU Lei, WANG Jing, ZHOU Ru-yan, QIN Lu-yao, CHEN Shi-bao. Toxicity thresholds and prediction models of combined pollution by cadmium and emerging contaminant in greenhousevegetable soils based on different test endpoints[J]. China Environmental Science. 2026, 46(1): 416-428

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