The soil nematode exposome: Unraveling the impacts of particulate plastics from agroecosystems to one health

The escalating accumulation of particulate plastics in terrestrial ecosystems demands innovative, biologically informed approaches to evaluate their ecological and human health impacts. Soil nematodes are gaining recognition as sensitive and ecologically relevant bioindicators for assessing the effects of plastic pollution in soils. Their widespread distribution, trophic adaptability, and close association with soil particles make them ideal sentinels for detecting subtle yet significant biological responses to micro- and nanoplastics. Plastic contamination can disrupt soil structure, microbiome composition, and nutrient cycling, which in turn affects nematode abundance, diversity, and community dynamics. Recent advancements in soil nematode-based bioassays, bolstered by molecular and omics technologies, offer novel insights into the nematode exposome, capturing direct particle interactions, microbial shifts, and trophic transfer processes. We propose a tiered assessment framework that leverages conserved molecular pathways in nematodes to predict both environmental and human health outcomes associated with plastic exposure. By integrating nematode ecological indices with mechanistic biomarkers, this framework transforms risk assessment into a more holistic, efficient, and cost-effective model. Incorporating nematodes into plastic pollution studies not only enhances our capacity to monitor soil ecosystem health but also plays a crucial role in safeguarding agricultural sustainability and public health in an increasingly plastic-laden food chain.