Trace element-contaminated soils (TECSs) are one of the consequences of the past
industrial development worldwide. Excessive exposure to trace elements (TEs) represents a
permanent threat to ecosystems and humans worldwide owing to the capacity of metal (loid)
s to cross the cell membranes of living organisms and of human epithelia, and their
interference with cell metabolism. Quantification of TE bioavailability in soils is complicated
due to the polyphasic and reactive nature of soil constituents. To unravel critical factors …