Global research trends in rice heavy metals stress from phytoremediation to nanotechnological risk assessment

The increasing burden of heavy metal(loid) contamination in agroecosystems poses a critical threat to soil quality, food security, and human health, with rice being one of the most vulnerable crops due to its high capacity for metal uptake. Arsenic and cadmium represent the dominant contaminants in rice-based diets worldwide, making their control a priority for sustainable agriculture and public health protection. Traditional phytoremediation has long been explored as an eco-friendly remediation strategy; however, its effectiveness is often constrained by slow kinetics, limited bioavailability, and poor control over metal transfer to edible grains. Recent advances in nanotechnology and quantitative risk-assessment frameworks have therefore emerged as key tools to overcome these limitations by enhancing metal immobilization, regulating root-to-grain transport, and linking remediation performance to human health outcomes. In this context, the present study conducts a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of global research trends in phytoremediation, nanotechnology, and heavy metal(loid) risk assessment in rice from 1988 to 2025 using the Scopus database. English-language research and review articles were systematically retrieved using a Boolean search strategy, and the resulting dataset was analyzed for publication trends, leading journals, subject categories, country contributions, author collaborations, and keyword networks. The results identify China, India, and the United States as the principal contributors and reveal a rapidly expanding and increasingly collaborative research landscape. Most importantly, keyword and thematic analyses demonstrate a paradigm shift from conventional, plant-based phytoremediation toward nano-enabled and risk-oriented remediation strategies aimed at reducing arsenic and cadmium accumulation in rice grains and the associated human health risks. This evolution highlights the growing emphasis on integrating soil amendments, plant physiological control, and exposure-based risk assessment to ensure food-safe rice production. Study Highlights First integrated bibliometric analysis linking phytoremediation, nanotechnology, and risk assessment in rice systems. Rapid post-2010 growth driven by nano-enabled remediation and food safety concerns. Arsenic and cadmium identified as dominant contaminants shaping research priorities. Strong regional research dominance with increasing global collaboration. Critical gaps identified in field-scale validation, co-contamination studies, and nano-safety. Novelty statement To the best of our knowledge, this is the first bibliometric analysis on the development, convergence, and integration of phytoremediation, nanotechnology-assisted remediation, and health risk assessments in rice ecosystems while identifying the critical gap, the important missing link in integrating these areas for an effective remediation strategy.