Revealing the Biodegradation Mechanism of Pesticides: Emphasizing the Role of Isotope Fractionation and Tracing

Biodegradation represents an environmentally sustainable and cost-effective approach to mitigating pesticide pollution. However, characterizing and differentiating the underlying mechanisms remain a significant challenge. This article addresses the core challenge in pesticide biodegradation research: using stable isotope techniques to elucidate microbial metabolic networks and transform the "black box" mechanism into a quantifiable "white box" model. It explores how stable isotope probing (SIP) and compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) track isotopes and metabolic pathways to analyze pollutant degradation and microbial functions. Compared with traditional statistical methods, which are limited to analyzing variable relationships, tracking isotope labeling provides an accurate and intuitive depiction of metabolic pathways within the black box. Furthermore, isotope fractionation analysis enables differentiation of metabolic routes, effectively clarifying the previously ambiguous mechanisms. The paper innovatively compares the applicability of SIP and CSIA, highlighting their complementary roles in analyzing metabolic pathways and identifying microbial communities. These insights offer a scientific basis for selecting technologies to manage pesticide pollution effectively.