Phytoremediation is considered to be a promising technology for remediation of uranium-contaminated soils, but there are non-negligible problems in its practical application. As plants age and die, uranium-rich plant residues may release accumulated uranium into the surrounding environment, leading to uranium migration and dispersion. The study collected Syngonium podophyllum Schott after remediation of uranium-containing soils, simulated its decay process in the natural environment, and analyzed its mass loss, uranium release, and impact on the soil environment during the decay process, as well as the changes in its morphological characteristics, functional groups and soil microbial diversity. The results showed that after 128 days of decomposition of uranium-containing Syngonium podophyllum Schott residues, the mass residue rate was 40.70% and the total uranium release rate was 70.48%, and the decomposition of Syngonium podophyllum Schott affected the soil environment, and the presence of uranium inhibited the decomposition of Syngonium podophyllum Schott. Scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy and microbial diversity analysis revealed : The morphology of Syngonium podophyllum Schott changed before and after decay; the intensity of the absorption peaks of lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose decreased, representing their degradation; Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Bacteroidota among bacteria and Ascomycota among fungi play key roles in the decomposition of lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose in Syngonium podophyllum Schott residues. These microorganisms play a key role and are essential for the decomposition of complex organic matter in plant tissues. These studies have shown that uranium-containing plant residues undergo decay during the apoptosis phase, and the uranium in the plants is released into the soil, resulting in contamination of the surrounding environment. |