Effects and mechanisms of the combined pollution of lanthanum and acid rain on the root phenotype of soybean seedlings

Rare earth pollution and acid rain pollution are both important environmental issues worldwide. In regions which simultaneously occur, the combined pollution of rare earth and acid rain becomes a new environmental issue, and the relevant research is rarely reported. Accordingly, we investigated the combined effects and mechanisms of lanthanum ion (La3+) and acid rain on the root phenotype of soybean seedlings. The combined pollution of low-concentration La3+ and acid rain exerted deleterious effects on the phenotype and growth of roots, which were aggravated by the combined pollution of high-concentration La3+ and acid rain. The deleterious effects of the combined pollution were stronger than those of single La3+ or acid rain pollution. These stronger deleterious effects on the root phenotype and growth of roots were due to the increased disturbance of absorption and utilization of mineral nutrients in roots.