Baydilli, Eda NurYanardag, Asuman BuyukkilicSakin, ErdalYanardag, Ibrahim HalilDilekoglu, Mehmet Fatih2026-06-192026-06-1920250049-69791573-2932https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-025-08403-2https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12899/6054Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) emitted by high-voltage power lines (HVLs) are an emerging environmental concern with largely underexplored implications for soil microbial functioning and biochemical integrity. This study investigates the chronic effects of non-ionizing EMFs (50-60 Hz) on soil health in a semi-arid agroecosystem of southeastern T & uuml;rkiye, focusing on microbial biomass (Cmic, N), soluble nutrient pools (Csoluble, Nsoluble, NO3-, NH4+), enzymatic activities (catalase, dehydrogenase, urease), and microbial metabolic efficiency (qCO(2)). Soil samples collected at 0 m (IR) and 300 m (control) from HVLs revealed significant alterations in microbial and enzymatic indicators. Cmic decreased by 21.8%, CAT and DHG activities dropped by 25.3% and 8.6%, respectively, while qCO(2) increased by 29.4%, indicating metabolic stress. Mechanistically, these changes are attributed to EMF-induced oxidative stress and electromechanical disruption of microbial membranes, leading to impaired enzyme function and carbon-use efficiency. Despite a slight increase in microbial N and urease activity, the overall decline in microbial resilience suggests cumulative physiological damage. These results highlight the vulnerability of soil ecosystems to electromagnetic pollution and underscore the need for long-term monitoring and mitigation strategies, such as biochar application, to safeguard soil fertility and ecosystem sustainability in HVL-exposed landscapes.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessElectromagnetic FieldsSoil Enzymatic ActivityMicrobial StressSoil FertilitySoil QualityArticle10.1007/s11270-025-08403-2236122-s2.0-105013682201Q2WOS:001554762300001Q20000-0003-2558-96000000-0001-5403-42470000-0001-7407-16350000-0003-3236-1532