The mining of rare earth elements (REEs), which are critical for modern technologies, frequently leads to severe soil degradation, particularly through ammonium sulfate-based in-situ leaching. This study provided a comprehensive metagenomic assessment of how REEs mining reshapes soil ecosystems. We analyzed paired samples from a mined site and an adjacent unmined control in a typical ion-adsorption REEs deposit region in China. Mining activity was associated with profound alterations in soil geochemical profiles. While soil pH decreased from 4.72 to 4.42, total carbon (TC) declined by over two-thirds (from 1.05 to 0.31 g kg-1), and total nitrogen (TN) exhibited a significant 22% increase (from 215.60 to 263.26 mg kg-1). Regarding REEs, mining caused an approximately 53% reduction in their total content (from 475.83 to 218.82 mg kg-1) and a restructured composition (cerium from 28% to 75%, lanthanum from 23% to 5.4%, and neodymium from 18% to 4.8%). Metagenomic analysis revealed that microbial diversity was significantly lower in the post-mining area compared to the unmined control. Bacterial communities shifted from a balanced composition to an oligotroph-dominated state, with p_Acidobacteriota increasing to 41% and the copiotrophic p_Actinomycetota declining from 23% to 10%. Fungal communities transitioned from a p_Basidiomycota-rich (31%) symbiotic state to an p_Ascomycota-dominated (77%), saprotrophic condition. Mantel tests and path analysis identified the mining-induced deterioration of soil physicochemical and nutrient properties (especially pH, TC, and Mg) as a key factor associated with microbial restructuring, rather than REEs depletion itself. Functionally, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes annotation revealed a widespread suppression of metabolic pathways critical for ecosystem functioning, including C fixation, N metabolism, energy production, and environmental adaptation. The identification of key microbial taxa (e.g., declining p_Actinomycetota and p_Chloroflexota) as biomarkers for soil health, and their strong linkage to decreased C and N cycling functions, offers potential genomic targets for monitoring and guiding the recovery of soil ecosystem services in post-mining landscapes.

The widespread use and environmental persistence of the herbicide glyphosate raise significant concerns for human and ecological health. Developing efficient and sustainable remediation strategies is therefore crucial. Microbial degradation and biocontrol are two promising approaches. This study aimed to isolate and characterize a bacterial strain capable of both degrading glyphosate and antagonizing soil-borne fungal pathogens, and to evaluate its impact on soil microbial communities. This study isolated and characterized a novel bacterial strain, NPDY10, identified as Paenibacillus ottowii, which exhibits dual beneficial functions: efficient glyphosate degradation and broad-spectrum antagonism against soil-borne fungal pathogens. Under optimal conditions (pH 7–7.5, 30–35 °C), strain NPDY10 completely degraded 400 mg L⁻¹ of glyphosate within four days, utilizing the herbicide as a carbon source. Metabolic profiling via UPLC-MS/MS confirmed glyphosate degradation via the aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) pathway In a rice paddy field trial, the application of NPDY10 reduced glyphosate levels in paddy water, and a visible foam layer formed, serving as a visual indicator of active metabolism. Furthermore, strain NPDY10 demonstrated broad-spectrum antifungal activity in vitro, inhibiting 17 plant-pathogenic fungi with inhibition rates ranging from 60.00

Rare earth elements (REEs) are increasingly vital to green and high-tech industries, but their expanding use has led to widespread environmental contamination. This review evaluates REE release pathways, tracing methodologies, and knowledge gaps that limit effective environmental management. We synthesize REE inputs across mining, agricultural, industrial, and medical sectors. In mixed-source environments, overlapping geochemical signatures complicate source identification, a challenge exacerbated by global REE recycling rates below 1% and dissipation rates exceeding 90%. Against this backdrop, we systematically compare a suite of source-tracing approaches, including REE anomaly calculation, isotopic tracing (e.g., strontium, neodymium, and lead isotopes), receptor modeling (e.g., positive matrix factorization and chemical mass balance), and speciation analysis (e.g., high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and diffusive gradients in thin films). We identify two major methodological bottlenecks. First, the proliferation of over seven normalization systems and more than 30 anomaly equations yields results that are not readily comparable across studies. This is further complicated by region-specific baselines, particularly for gadolinium. Second, the predominant reliance on total concentrations obscures REE speciation and bioavailable fractions. To address these limitations, we propose a tiered monitoring framework that couples screening-level anomaly detection with quantitative source apportionment. This framework prioritizes standardized calculations, local baseline mapping, and bioavailability-based risk assessment. Advancing REE governance requires a shift from passive monitoring to a proactive framework that links environmental occurrence, geochemical tracing, and bioavailability-informed risk assessment.

The pervasive threat of arsenic (As) contamination to global health and food security demands effective remediation solutions, yet the practical application of the pioneer As-hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata is often constrained by its field performance, which is governed by a complex interplay of overlooked environmental and biological factors. To address this gap, this review systematically synthesizes the fundamental mechanisms and enhancement strategies for Pteris vittata-based phytoremediation of As. Our analysis establishes that the plant’s efficiency for As removal is not a fixed trait but an emergent property of its holobiont system. Specifically, root uptake, translocation, and vacuolar sequestration of As in plants are profoundly influenced by soil properties (e.g., pH and Eh), nutrient dynamics (e.g., phosphorus and nitrogen), climate conditions (e.g., temperature and precipitation) and crucially, the rhizosphere microbiome. We further reveal a critical physiological trade-off: microbial processes such as arsenite oxidation can mitigate phytotoxicity and promote growth, while arsenate reduction often provides a more direct pathway to enhance As accumulation. The net remediation outcome depends on the functional synergy and competition within the microbial community. In light of these, we provide a comprehensive critical assessment of advanced mitigation strategies, from the precision engineering of synthetic microbial communities to the application of omics-guided tools and machine learning for predictive modeling and optimization. By integrating plant physiology with microbiome science and data-driven analytics, this review proposes a holistic framework to transition Pteris vittata from a proven concept into a predictable, efficient, and scalable phytotechnology. This work provides an indispensable knowledge base and a clear strategic roadmap for leveraging this unique plant-microbe-environment nexus to achieve sustainable environmental restoration of As-contaminated soils and waters worldwide.

Rare earth elements (REEs) are crucial for green technologies, but their mining can severely degrade soil. While bacterial succession, often involving photoautotrophic and copiotrophic taxa, aids the colonization of REEs-hyperaccumulators in nutrient-poor soils, its applicability across plant ecotypes and light-limited conditions (e.g., winter) remains unclear. We compared two ferns (Dicranopteris pedata and Blechnum orientale) from core (DpM/BoM) and surrounding (DpS/BoS) areas, analyzing their REEs accumulation and rhizobacterial regulation of soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling. Despite lower soil total REEs (5.28-9.37 times lower) and nutrients (TC ≤ 0.67 g kg-1; TN ≤ 23.33 mg kg-1), core ecotypes accumulated more REEs (e.g., 2765.03 vs. 131.67 mg kg-1 Ce in D. pedata; 1486.22 vs. 660.90 mg kg-1 La in B. orientale). The r/K life-strategy framework (copiotrophs vs. oligotrophs) did not fully explain microbial diversity and functions, as key taxa exhibited metabolic flexibility (e.g., chemoautotrophy). Core soils hosted copiotroph- and chemoautotroph-dominated microbiomes (p_Pseudomonadota, p_Actinomycetota, and p_Bacteroidota), linked to C/N cycling, whereas surrounding soils favored oligotrophs (p_Chloroflexota and p_Acidobacteriota). Both ferns enriched c_Alphaproteobacteria (especially g_Bradyrhizobium) and p_Actinomycetota (especially g_Acidothermus) for C/N fixation, these keystone taxa serve as potential biomarkers for monitoring soil nutrient recovery in REEs mining areas. Our findings indicate that microbial functional traits, beyond taxonomy, drive nutrient cycling in soils and REEs hyperaccumulation in plants, refining and expanding the r/K framework and suggesting seasonally tailored plant-microbe partnerships could optimize C/N cycling and enhance REEs phytoremediation in degraded soils.

Hyperaccumulators harbor potentials for remediating rare earth elements (REEs)-contaminated soils. However, how they thrive in low-nutrient abandoned REEs mining sites is poorly understood. Three ferns (REEs-hyperaccumulators Dicranopteris pedata and Blechnum orientale, and non-hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata) along with their rhizosphere soils were collected to answer this question by comparing differences in soil nutrient levels, soil and plant REEs concentrations, and bacterial diversity, composition, and functions. Results observed lower soil pH (4.67-4.95 vs. 7.96), total carbon (TC) (0.35-0.62 vs. 2.84 g kg-1), total nitrogen (TN) (20-23 vs. 133 mg kg-1), and total phosphorus (TP) (81-91 vs. 133 mg kg-1) at sites Dp and Bo than site Pv. Hyperaccumulators efficiently extracted soil REEs and translocated them to fronds (up to 6897-7759 mg kg-1). Bacterial α diversity in three soils did not significantly vary. In contrast, bacterial composition at sites Dp and Bo was dominant by higher abundances of copiotrophic bacteria (18 % vs. 12 %, p_Actinomycetota; 3.3-8.3 % vs. 1.9 %, p_Bacteroidota; 8.3-14 % vs. 6.9 %, c_Gammaproteobacteria) and autotrophic bacteria (18 % vs. 13 %, p_Chloroflexota; 13 % vs. 8.6 %, p_Cyanobacteriota) when compared to site Pv. These bacteria likely acted as nutrient cyclers that promoted the growth of hyperaccumulators, based on functional predictions from DiTing analyses. This study provides new insights into nutrient recovery in abandoned REEs mining sites, offering strategies to reclaim degraded soils using phyto-microbial technology.

The critical roles of rare earth elements (REEs) in driving the green energy transition have spurred surging global demand, yet the often-overlooked environmental costs of their extraction, from mining to end-use in clean technologies, must be rigorously assessed to ensure a truly sustainable supply chain. However, a systematic review that links the fundamental properties, applications, and mining of REEs to their environmental impacts is currently lacking. To address this gap, this review first establishes the unique geochemical properties of REEs and their irreplaceable roles in permanent magnets, optical materials, and catalysis, which underpin both their criticality and the complex environmental challenges across their lifecycle. Our analysis reveals a critical technological and environmental trade-off: while conventional extraction techniques like ammonium sulfate leaching achieve high operational efficiency, they incur severe and persistent environmental costs, including widespread soil acidification through nitrification processes, radioactive contamination from associated thorium and uranium, and heavy metal diffusion that threatens ecosystem integrity and human health. In response, this review provides a comprehensive critical assessment of the entire mitigation spectrum, from pollution source control via cleaner extraction technologies like electrokinetic mining, to end-of-pipe remediation using hyperaccumulator-assisted phytoextraction, microbial restoration, and advanced adsorption technologies with functionalized nanomaterials. By integrating life cycle assessment with circular economy principles, this review proposes a holistic framework to reconcile REEs utilization with environmental sustainability. This work provides an indispensable knowledge base and clear strategic roadmap for policymakers and industries to navigate the transition towards an environmentally sustainable and economically viable REEs sector.

Biochar, as an amendment to enhance phytoremediation of heavy metal contamination, can mediate reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. However, the role of biochar-mediated ROS (BMR) during soil-plant phytoremediation remains inadequately understood. In this study, a combination of pot experiments, chemical extraction, and partial least squares path modeling (PLS-PM) was employed to investigate BMR dynamics and their influence on chromium (Cr) accumulation and detoxification in plants. Biochar addition promoted Cr removal efficiency and decreased ROS concentrations in soil, notably reaching the largest removal efficiency of 80.60 % and the lowest ROS concentration of 37.53 μmol/kg in BC-3 group at 90d. Decreased ROS concentrations in soil facilitated the plant absorbing water-soluble Cr (VI), adsorbed Cr (VI), and chromate-precipitated Cr (VI) in soil, and enhanced Cr accumulation in metabolically inactive compartments (cell walls and vacuoles). When biochar was added at concentrations of 2 % and 3 % (w/w), ROS concentrations in plant tissues decreased to signaling molecule thresholds. This reduction further stimulated antioxidant enzyme activity, promoted the reduction of Cr (VI) within subcellular organelles, and enhanced Cr cell wall fixation and vacuolar compartmentation, ultimately achieving their synergistic integration with Cr detoxification with accumulation. This study provides an in-depth understanding of BMR-related mechanisms during phytoremediation and valuable insights into strategies for enhancing mitigation of variable valence heavy metals in soils.

Dicranopteris pedata is a typical REEs-hyperaccumulator that efficiently takes up REEs from the soil. However, the molecule mechanisms of REEs absorption and transportation by D. pedata is still unclear. In this study, D. pedata was selected as the research subject and exposed it to varying concentrations of yttrium (Y) and cerium (Ce) to investigate its stress effects. The results revealed, low exogenous REEs concentration can promote the expression of photosynthesis genes, and higher REEs stress can impede this process. Moreover, the significant down-regulation of PstS, ABCA3, ABCB1, ABCC1, and ABCD3 of the ABC transporter family may reduce the adverse effects of REEs. D. pedata can alleviate oxidative damage by increasing the activity of SOD and CAT, but this mechanism fails under high REEs stress. In addition, D. pedata up-regulates the gene expression of flavonoids, brassinosteroids, lysine, isoquinoline alkaloids, and streptomycin biosynthesis to alleviate stress. Besides, D. pedata also up-regulated the expression of naphthalene, caprolactam, toluene, geraniol, and fluorobenzoate degradation genes, which may be related to the detoxification mechanism of D. pedata. This study elucidates the physiological and transcriptional regulatory mechanisms of REEs stress response in D. pedata, deepening our understanding of the response of D. pedata to REEs stress.

Fifty agricultural soil samples collected from Fuzhou, southeast China, were first investigated for the occurrence, distribution, and potential risks of twelve organophosphate esters (OPEs). The total concentration of OPEs (ΣOPEs) in soil ranged from 1.33 to 96.5 ng/g dry weight (dw), with an average value of 17.1 ng/g dw. Especially, halogenated-OPEs were the predominant group with a mean level of 9.75 ng/g dw, and tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCIPP) was the most abundant OPEs, accounting for 51.1% of ΣOPEs. The concentrations of TCIPP and ∑OPEs were found to be significantly higher (P < 0.05) in soils of urban areas than those in suburban areas. In addition, the use of agricultural plastic films and total organic carbon had a positive effect on the occurrence of OPE in this study. The positive matrix factorization model suggested complex sources of OPEs in agricultural soils from Fuzhou. The ecological risk assessment demonstrated that tricresyl phosphate presented a medium risk to land-based organisms (0.1 ≤ risk quotient < 1.0). Nevertheless, the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks for human exposure to OPEs through soil ingestion and dermal absorption were negligible. These findings would facilitate further investigations into the pollution management and risk control of OPEs.

Bioremediation of acidic arsenic (As)-contaminated soils is a significant issue that Pteris vittata cannot effectively address, as this fern prefers lime-rich conditions. Fertilization has been employed to enhance P. vittata growth, but its effectiveness under acidic conditions is unclear. We evaluated whether hydroxylapatite (HAP), monosodium phosphate (MSP), monopotassium phosphate (MPP), calcium superphosphate (CSP), and monoammonium phosphate (MAP) aided remediating acidic As-contaminated soils with P. vittata. Results showed that only MAP significantly improved plant growth and As accumulation. MAP amendment reshaped bacterial community by increasing p_Actinomycetota abundance (15-21 % vs. 35 %) and decreasing p_Pseudomonadota (40-41 % vs. 35 %) and p_Acidobacteriota (10-15 % vs. 7 %) abundances. This transition from oligotrophic to copiotrophic bacteria enhanced nutrient and energy cycling, favoring plant growth and As accumulation. Our study highlights the pioneering role of p_Actinomycetota in regulating nutrient and energy metabolisms in P. vittata rhizosphere, offering promising strategies for remediating acidic As-contaminated soils using phytomicrobial technology.

Seawater CO2 concentrations are steadily increasing in the Taiwan Strait of the Southeast China, while the effects of rising CO2 on carbon fixation and elemental composition of phytoplankton assemblages in this area are still poorly understood. Here, we enriched the seawater CO2 concentrations to 808 μatm and above to simulate the CO2–induced ocean acidification, and investigated the effects of CO2 enrichment on concentrations of chlorophyll (Chl) a, particulate organic carbon (POC), nitrogen (PON) and phosphorus (POP), the C:N:P ratio, and phytoplankton community composition in the coastal surface seawaters of the northwest Taiwan Strait in autumn 2023 and spring 2024 through an outdoor incubation experiment. After three days of incubation, CO2 enrichment increased the concentrations of Chl a by 1–14

Abstract. The calcifying coccolithophores Gephyrocapsa oceanica and Emiliania huxleyi can grow preferentially in deep waters (150–200 m), however, their physiological and biochemical strategies for acclimating to the combined constraints of low temperature and low irradiance remain unclear. In this study, we subjected three coccolithophore strains (G. oceanica NIES–1318, E. huxleyi PML B92/11 and RCC1266) to low temperature (9 °C) and low light intensity (15 μmol photons m–2 s–1), and compared their growth rates, particulate inorganic carbon (PIC), particulate organic carbon (POC), nitrogen (PON) and phosphorus (POP) contents, as well as carbohydrate and lipid levels, with those under standard cultivation (21 °C, 150 μmol photons m–2 s–1). The results revealed that low temperature and low light intensity acted synergistically to decrease growth rate, POC contents and the POC : PON and POC : POP ratios, whereas did not significantly affect POP content in any of the strains. While increased light intensity enhanced PIC and PON contents at high temperature, it reduced them at low temperature. Low light intensity was identified as the primary factor leading to reduced carbohydrate and lipid level. Collectively, these findings indicate that to acclimate to low–temperature and low–light conditions, coccolithophores prioritized reducing the metabolic cost of carbohydrate and lipid biosynthesis, thereby allocating more resources to phosphorus metabolism–a physiological adjustment that can significantly influence biogeochemical cycles in the deep ocean.

Antimony (Sb) ore exploitation and the use of Sb-containing drugs pose known health risks. This study investigated the toxicity of environmentally relevant concentrations of Sb (0.12-12 mg L-1) on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The 50 % lethal concentration (LC50) of Sb to HUVECs was 11.4 mg L-1. Exposing to high level of Sb induced cell cycle arrest by altering the expression of cell cycle regulators, inhibiting the transitions of G0/G1 to S and S to G2/M. At 1.2 mg L-1 Sb, CKD6 and p21 expressions in HUVECs changed to 0.75 and 1.32 folds that of no-Sb control, respectively (p < 0.01). At 12 mg L-1 Sb, CDK2, CKD6, and p27 expressions decreased by 1.54, 4.41, and 1.54 folds (p < 0.001), while p21 expression increased by 3.03 folds (p < 0.001) as compared to control. Sb also led to cell apoptosis, evidenced by Annexin V-FITC/PI staining and changes in the expressions of Bax (1.21-1.30 folds, p < 0.01) and Bcl-2 (0.65-0.83 folds). Oxidative damage was a pivotal factor driving cell apoptosis, probably through down-regulating antioxidant genes (CAT, GPX1, and GSTP1) and up-regulating stress response genes (HO-1, SOD1, and TrxR1). The elevated H2O2 generated in mitochondria likely contributed to cell apoptosis due to the imbalance in H2O2 metabolism. These findings suggest that environmentally relevant concentrations of Sb can exert cytotoxicity to HUVECs, which should be of potential concern for human cardiovascular disease.

Phytoextraction shows promise for decontaminating and recovering rare earth elements (REEs) from REEs tailings. In this study, soils from a leached (L) and nearby un-leached (UL) hill were taken from an ion adsorption rare earth mine, using the REEs hyperaccumulator Dicranopteris pedata in potting experiments, we investigated the influence of its root exudates on REEs mobilization and transport at the root-soil interface by thin-film diffusive gradient (DGT) coupled with Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). The REEs concentrations in L were significantly higher than those in UL (p < 0.05), with Ce, La, Y, and Nd being the most abundant. Leaching increased REEs mobility and bioavailability, altering their fractions in the topsoil. After 3 months, D. pedata in L exhibited significantly higher REEs concentrations in roots, stems, and fronds compared to UL, with enhanced root-to-frond translocation of REEs, especially HREEs. The bioconcentration factor (BF) and translocation factor (TF) were also higher in L, indicating greater REE enrichment capacity. DGT and LA-ICP-MS indicated that the closer to the D. pedata rhizosphere, the higher the signal of the REEs, suggesting a tendency for REEs to enrich in the rhizosphere soil. The untargeted liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS) identified 42 key differential metabolites in D. pedata root exudates, many associated with stress responses and cell membrane fluidity, which are crucial for plant stress resilience under leaching conditions. This study provides insights into REEs mobilization and enrichment mechanisms in the rhizosphere and metabolite changes of D. pedata under leaching conditions, highlighting its potential as an effective hyperaccumulator for REEs-contaminated sites and contributing to the advancement of REEs phytoextraction strategies.

Bisphenol A (BPA) and its substitute bisphenol S (BPS) are desirable materials widely used in manufacturing plastic products but can pose carcinogenic risks to humans. A new conductive iron-based metal-organic framework (Fe-HHTP)-modified pencil graphite electrode (PGE) for electrochemically sensing BPA and BPS was prepared and fully characterized by SEM, TEM, FT-IR, XRD, and XPS. Results showed that the optimal conditions for preparing Fe-HHTP/PGE were a pH of 6.5, a Fe-HHTP concentration of 2 mg·mL−1, a deposition potential of 0 V, and a deposition time of 100 s. The Fe-HHTP/PGE prepared under such conditions harbored a significant electrocatalytic activity with a detection limit of 0.8 nM for BPA and 1.7 nM for BPS (S/N = 3). Correspondingly, the electrochemical response current was linearly correlated to BPA and BPS, ranging from 0.01 to 100 μM. Fe-HHTP/PGE also obtained satisfactory recoveries by 93.8–102.1% and 96.0–101.3% for detecting BPA and BPS in plastic food packaging samples. Our work has provided a novel electrochemical tool to simultaneously detect BPA and BPS in food packaging samples and environmental matrixes.

Obesity has attracted great concern because of its undesirable effects on our life quality. Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a biological macromolecule that can improve gut homeostasis and lipid metabolism. However, its potential role in preventing obesity and associated mechanisms is still poorly understood. Herein, a supplement of BC was used to fully evaluate how it prevents obesity based on physio-biochemical and gut microbial analyses. Results showed that BC consumption helped decrease body and liver weight, and fat accumulation in kidney and epididymis. Correspondingly, glucose concentrations, total triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were reversed to the control levels. Consuming BC also improved liver fat metabolism and intestinal function, and alleviated ileum and epididymis inflammation. High-throughput sequencing suggested that a high-fat diet significantly decreased gut microbiota diversity, which could be reversed by consuming BC. A decreased Firmicutes and Proteobacteria and an increased Bacteroidetes following BC consumption were observed. The OTU-based analysis identified that Lachnospiraceae, Desulfovibrio, Lachnoclostridium, Blautia, Anaerotruncus, Bacteroides, Faecalibaculum, Bacteroidales S24-7 group, Prevotellaceae UCG-001 group, and Alloprevotella might be involved in obesity development or prevention. Our data suggest that BC is a good insoluble dietary fiber to prevent obesity via regulating lipid metabolism and gut microbiota.

As a class of emerging contaminants in marine environments, organophosphate esters (OPEs) have attracted increasing attention of environmental scientists and policymakers due to their ubiquity and ecotoxicity. However, little is known about the environmental geochemical behaviors of OPEs in seawater of the South China Sea (SCS). In this study, the concentration, composition, pollution source, and ecological risk of twelve typical OPEs were analyzed in the surface seawater of the northern SCS between August and September 2021. The results showed that five out of twelve OPEs were detectable with the total concentration of five OPEs (Sigma 5OPEs) ranging from 7.17 to 67.6 ng/L in seawater. Chlorinated OPEs (Cl-OPEs) were the predominant OPEs, with a mean concentration of 18.4 ng/L, accounting for more than 69.8% of Sigma 5OPEs. Among the detected congeners, tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) was the most abundant OPE (mean: 14.8 ng/L, 56.2 %), followed by triethyl phosphate (TEP) (mean: 7.75 ng/L, 29.5%) and tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCIPP) (mean: 2.07 ng/L, 7.87 %). Principal component analysis and Spearman correlation analysis indicated that terrestrial inputs, atmospheric deposition, and shipping activities were the potential sources of OPEs in the northern SCS. The ecological risk assessment revealed that TCEP posed low threats to algae and low ecological risks were predominantly observed from the mixture of OPEs. This work provides a basis for further investigation into the environmental behavior, toxicity, and risk of OPEs in the SCS and facilitates a better implementation of effective management actions.