Temporal decoupling of metal(loid) binding and microbial adaptation in arsenic and cadmium contaminated soils under changing climates

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

, +4°C). After 38 days, spiked As and Cd did not integrate into soil minerals like native counterparts but preferentially associated with more reactive minerals. Spiked As became more recalcitrant over time, an effect enhanced under future conditions. Spiked Cd remained reactive during incubation, independent of climate conditions. Prokaryotic abundances increased faster in metal(loid)-spiked soil under future conditions with distinct soil prokaryotic community structures emerging in response to metal(loid)s and climate. Despite this, key functions like Fe(III) reduction were maintained. Communities nearly stabilized within 38 days across climate conditions. These findings suggest that exogenous metal(loid)s may require years to achieve native-level binding, while soil microbes adapt functionally within weeks, even under climate change.