Global antibiotic use saturates ecosystems with selective pressure, driving mobile genetic element (MGE)-mediated antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) dissemination that destabilizes ecological integrity and breaches public health defenses. This review synthesizes the sources, environmental distribution, and ecological risks of antibiotics and ARGs, emphasizing the mechanisms of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) driven by MGEs such as plasmids, transposons, and integrons. We further conduct a comparative critical analysis of the effectiveness and limitations of antibiotics and ARGs remediation strategies for adsorption (biochar, activated carbon, carbon nanotubes), chemical degradation (advanced oxidation processes, Fenton-based systems), and biological treatment (microbial degradation, constructed wetlands). To effectively curb the spread of antimicrobial resistance and safeguard the sustainability of ecosystems, we propose an integrated “One Health” framework encompassing enhanced global surveillance (antibiotic residues and ARGs dissemination) as well as public education.

The degradation of soil structure in paddy fields is critical, and the application of organic amendments is an effective way to enhance soil structure and function. However, the mechanisms by which different organic amendments influence soil aggregate-associated humus carbon and nutrients remain unclear. Considering this, four treatments were employed in a randomized complete block design with three replications: (1) chemical fertilizer (CK); (2) chemical fertilizer plus organic amendment (MC); (3) chemical fertilizer plus organic amendment containing Bacillus subtilis (FT); and (4) Chemical fertilizer plus organic amendment containing polyacrylamide (PM). The results showed that all soil improvement measures significantly increased the proportion of macroaggregates (>2 mm and 2–0.25 mm), primarily the 2–0.25 mm fraction (34.53–48.46%), and the mean weight diameter (MWD), compared to CK. Soil organic carbon (SOC), humic acid carbon (HAC), fulvic acid carbon (FAC), humin carbon (HUC), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) were predominantly concentrated within the macroaggregates. Relative to CK, the PM increased the HUC content in large aggregates (>2 mm) and significantly enhanced HAC by 19.53% within the same fraction, while the FT significantly boosted FAC by 31.78% in the >2 mm fraction. Furthermore, MC, FT, and PM treatments significantly enhanced SOC, TN, and TP contents within large macroaggregates compared to CK, with PM generally showing the highest SOC and TN levels, and FT being the highest in terms of TP in large aggregates (though differences among treatments were non-significant). Correlation analysis revealed that only in large aggregates did SOC show significant positive correlations with humus carbon fractions (except HAC), as well as with TN and TP. The amendments, particularly PM, effectively enhanced nutrient and humus carbon accumulation within large aggregates and improved aggregate stability. Notably, PM strengthened the direct pathways for the formation of SOC and humus carbon. In summary, the combined application of chemical fertilizer and organic amendments, containing polyacrylamide positively influenced aggregate stability and nutrient accumulation in paddy soil.

Soil salinization constrains agricultural productivity and sustainable land use by simultaneously impairing soil structure, nutrient availability, biological activity, and plant growth. Modified biochar (MBC) has attracted increasing attention because modification can regulate biochar alkalinity, surface chemistry, pore structure, and mineral composition, thereby improving its suitability for contrasting salt-affected soils. However, the interacting ionic, structural, nutritional, and biological limitations of these soils are unlikely to be resolved by a single material. This review synthesizes evidence on the co-application of MBC with functional amendments, including mineral and ionic materials, organic and nutrient inputs, polymers, and microbial agents, while using studies of pristine biochar or single materials only as contextual evidence. The available literature indicates that treatment performance depends on matching amendment function to the dominant soil constraint. Calcium- or magnesium-supplying and acidifying materials may be better matched to sodic and saline-sodic soils where alkalinity and exchangeable Na⁺ restrict infiltration; nutrient, organic, and biological amendments may be more relevant where fertility and rhizosphere limitations dominate; and polymers may complement MBC where aggregate stability and water retention are primary constraints. These combinations act through coordinated regulation of ion exchange and salt transport, nutrient retention and release, pore connectivity, aggregate formation, and microbial processes. Nevertheless, functional complementarity should not be equated with synergy because few factorial studies include MBC alone, the functional amendment alone, and their co-application. Field application is further limited by uncertain dose reduction, variable material quality, residual salinity, environmental risk, cost, and insufficient long-term validation. Future research should prioritize factorial dose–response experiments, multi-season field trials, and integrated agronomic, environmental, and economic assessment. This review provides a constraint-based framework for selecting and evaluating MBC-based co-application strategies in salt-affected soils.