Mechanistic understanding of emerging contaminant toxicity in plants through the adverse outcome pathway framework

Abstract

Emerging contaminants (ECs) are becoming increasingly widespread in terrestrial ecosystems, with growing evidence that their presence poses substantial risks to plant health. As EC-induced effects can propagate across molecular, physiological, organismal, and ecological levels, a systematic framework is needed to organize and interpret their biological consequences across scales. In this review, the Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) framework is employed to describe the progression of EC-induced effects in plants, from initial molecular interactions to final adverse outcomes (AOs). Major exposure routes in plant environments are first outlined, with particular attention to how uptake, translocation, biotransformation, and subcellular localization shape internal exposure, target-site availability, and potential interactions with biomacromolecular targets. The subsequent key event (KE) modules are then synthesized, linking upstream molecular and cellular perturbations to downstream physiological dysfunction and functional impairment. These mechanistic alterations are further related to plant-relevant AOs, including growth inhibition, deterioration in crop yield and quality, reduced carbon sequestration capacity, and potential broader impairment of ecosystem functioning. Current knowledge gaps are also highlighted, and the potential utility of an EC-plant AOP perspective in risk assessment and management is discussed. By integrating evidence along the AOP continuum, this review provides a mechanistic and multi-scale perspective on EC-induced plant effects and offers a scientific basis for assessing and managing EC risks in ecosystems.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Emerging contaminants / Plants / Adverse outcome pathway / Phytotoxicity / Risk assessment

Highlight

	● This review integrates evidence into an AOP framework for EC impacts on crops.
	● Mechanistic steps linking EC uptake to adverse outcomes in plants are detailed.
	● AOP-guided measures are integrated into risk assessment to enable adaptive regulation.

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